QPR REPORT

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UPDATE: September 25: The Daily Mail
Bosnich training with QPR in bid to relaunch his career
Mark Bosnich is training at QPR in an attempt to re-launch his career. Under-fire boss John Gregory managed the Australian keeper at Aston Villa a decade ago and oversaw his transfer to Manchester United in 1999 Mail

[NB: Bosnich has actually been training with QPR for the past couple of months.]

QPR Official Site - BEES STUNG
First half goals from Nicky Ward and Ben Sahar helped Rangers ease to a comfortable 2-0 victory in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Barnet.
Ward opened the scoring in the sixth minute when he latched on to Kieron St Aimie's pull-back, before firing home from 15 yards.
The lead was doubled eight minutes later when Ward turned provider. The Australian found Sahar with a neat through-ball and the Chelsea loanee did the rest, finishing with aplomb past the advancing Barnet custodian.
The duo both went close to adding to the R's goal haul, as the hosts orchestrated proceedings at Harlington.
QPR: Bosnich, Trialist, Bignot, Curtis, Shimmin, Rehman, St Aimie (Arthur, 68), Bailey, Ward (Rose, 75), Sahar, Baidoo (Coyne, 46)
Subs Not Used: O'Brien. QPR

Barnet Official Site - Squad Members Get Valuable Exercise
Assistant manager Ian Hendon took three and a half hours to get to the QPR training ground near Heathrow in rain-lashed weather ... and his side were two down in the first 10 minutes or so against a side boasting several of the host side's first team regulars in a behind-closed-doors game.
The Bees fielded four PROTEC youngsters who impressed in last week's game against Barnet U18s alongside squad players who did not start at Chesterfield. They failed to score against QPR goalkeeper Mark Bosnich.
Hendon reports: "Both Joe O'Cearuill and James Cole did well. Liam Hatch did a bit better than last time. Ashley Carew, too, did well.
"Although it took all that time to get across London, referee Dermot Gallagher started promptly at 11.30 a.m. - and we were two down almost after getting out of the cars and before we got a grip. After that we did alright, particularly the two lads at the back, and Rangers rarely looked like scoring again. To be fair, we didn't create much either".
The Bees beat QPR on a previous visit last month, as fully reported on www.barnetfc.com. Today's game was not covered by a professional journalist because of the disparaging and negative reaction to last week's report on the game against Barnet U18s.
These matches are purely designed to allow members of the Barnet squad who do not play at the weekend 90 minutes football. Dennis Signy Barnet

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Two former QPR Defenders and one former forward: Matt Rose, Rufus Brevett and Dean Coney.

Matt Rose Turns 32. Born September 24, 1975
Spent ten seasons with QPR before being released to join Yeovil. The unluckily often-injured Rose has played some 200+ games. Rose was signed for 500,000 pounds from Arsenal by Stuart Houston in the summmer of 1997. Rose See also: Matt Rose Remembered

Rufus Brevett Turns 38 - Born September 24, 1969
Signed by Don Howe from Doncaster Rovers in March 1991, (around the same time that QPR also signed defenders Peacock and Tillson.) Brevett played almost 150 games for QPR before being sold to Fulham in January 1998 (in what generally came to be seen as a bad move by QPR!). Recently became 'Sporting Director' at Swindon after the club's takeover. Brevett See also: Wikipedia/Brevett

And a Recent Birthday: Striker, Dean Coney who turned 44 - Born September 18, 1963. Coney was signed by Jim Smith from Fulham (along with Paul Parker). After a year, joined Norwich. See Wikipedia/Coney

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With press speculation about John Gregory possibly being replaced and one of the possibilities being mentioned is Gianluca Vialli, Vialli's last English managerial experience: In May, 2001, Watford appointed Vialli as their manager. Just over a year later, after one season, Watford fired Vialli. See also, Wikipedia/Vialli


4thegame - May 2, 2001 - Watford appoint Vialli as boss

Gianluca Vialli is the new boss of Watford.
He replaces Graham Taylor at the First Division club. Taylor is to step down at the end of the season.
Vialli returns to management in England after losing his job at Chelsea earlier in the season.
Former Chelsea boss Gianluca Vialli has been confirmed as the new manager of Watford.
The Italian will take over at the end of the season when Graham Taylor retires.
The Hornets represent Vialli''s first job in management since his unexpected exit at Stamford Bridge eight months ago.
The 1995 world player of the year was sacked by chairman Ken Bates on September 12 after just five games of the new Premiership season.
He paid the ultimate price for a failure to bring the championship back to the Blues amid a growing stream of tales of unrest inside the dressing room.
First Division Watford now give Vialli the perfect opportunity to prove his old boss wrong.
He would seemingly now be better equipped to handle the challenge, too.
In his short sabbatical, Vialli has sought to better himself as a manager, embarking on a Uefa coaching course in an attempt to improve his motivational and man-management skills.
The first test of his new skills would be a stiff one - returning the Hornets to the Premiership.
In his last season in charge, Taylor has been unable to take Watford to the play-offs in their first season after relegation from the Premiership at the end of the 1999-2000 campaign.
Fans would hope, however, that a high-profile and popular figure such as Vialli would attract greater talent to the club, and he could even look to friends at his old club Chelsea to join him in his new role. forthegame

BCC - Friday, 14 June, 2002, Watford sack Vialli
Vialli could not turn Watford's fortunes around
First Division Watford have terminated the contract of manager Gianluca Vialli.
Everyone's gutted about him leaving.... clubs don't give their managers enough time to achieve anything
Midfielder Gavin Mahon
He had only been in charge for one season, but it was a disappointing year, with the Hornets finishing in 14th place.
"I am very disappointed by the decision of the club, especially as my work at Watford was still in its early stages," Vialli said in a statement.
"I have been co-operative towards the club and they have tried to bring the best coaching staff to assist me.
"I also wish to record my thanks to the fans for their continuous support."
Financial crisis
Despite several high-profile signings, including Ramon Vega and Stephen Hughes, the ex-Chelsea boss could not improve Watford's fortunes on the pitch.
And in the wake of ITV Digital's collapse, the club now faces major financial problems and is looking to make big cutbacks.
Plans for a new stand have been put on hold and the club has already released five players, including veteran captain Filippo Galli to ease the crisis.
But Hornets midfielder Gavin Mahon said of his manager's dismissal: "Clubs don't give their managers enough time to achieve anything - maybe they can't now.
"Vialli only had one year to bring success to Watford. But the television money going changed all that. It's sad."
Vialli's 18 months of woe
2000: Sacked in September by Chelsea as Ken Bates seeks "a change of direction"
2001: Goes on Uefa coaching course and takes over at Watford in May
2002:Hornets finish 14th in D1 in May and Vialli is sacked as manager in June
"Everyone's gutted about him leaving. It's very sad news and I have no bad words to say about him.
"I understand the club has to cut back and there are a lot of clubs in the same situation because everyone is struggling to survive.
"Vialli brought me to the club and now he's gone, so where do we stand as players?"
Mass exodus
Vialli's dismissal follows the departure of other members of his coaching team.
First-team coach Ray Wilkins, fitness coach Giovanni Vaglini, club doctor Ian Beasley and masseur John Kelly left Vicarage Road earlier in the week.
With chairman Elton John also resigning last month, ending his 25-year association with the club, Watford clearly face a turbulent few weeks before their opening fixture of the new season, on 10 August, away at Leicester - BBC

BBC - Monday 17th June 2002 - Turmoil at Vicarage Road
Watford have issued a statement giving their reasons for sacking manager Gianluca Vialli and other members of staff.
Chief Executive Tim Shaw has put most of the blame on ITV Digital and he has also confirmed that Ray Lewington will take temporary charge for the time being.
Mr Shaw says that the departure of Vialli and others has been a result of the collapse of ITV Digital as cuts have had to be made in order to ensure future financial stability.
The club have been denied what was a future guaranteed income of £2m a year and he says that the frustration and anger of the fans should be directed at Carlton and Granada, who have failed to meet their legal obligations.
Mr Shaw says they simply couldn't afford to keep Vialli as manager and they are trying to come to an agreement with him in terms of the termination of his contract.
Lewington has taken over as Caretaker Manager and Mr Shaw says the club wish to interview a number of candidates for the vacant manager's position.
Mr Shaw also refutes claims that Vialli's departure was timed to coincide with the World Cup. He says last week happened to be the week when all the players and staff were back at the club.
Nine players have been asked to take a cut in wages and he is very encouraged by their response. He added that these were the worst times he had ever known for the club....>> BBC

BBC Friday, 7 February, 2003 Vialli sues Watford
Vialli has been negotiating a settlement for months
Gianluca Vialli has issued court proceedings after his sacking by Watford last June.
The Hornets tore up Vialli's three-year contract with two years left to run after a disappointing season in which wage costs at Vicarage Road soared and the team finished a lowly 14th in Division One.
Vialli has been negotiating a settlement for months, but the former Chelsea manager's decision to go to court could not come at a worse time for the club.
Watford narrowly avoided slipping into administration this season by forcing their players and staff to accept a 12% wage deferral and raising funds via a share issue.
But manager Ray Lewington held a sunshine summit with his coaching staff in Portugal this week to decide how to further reduce the size of the Watford squad for next season.
Watford admit Vialli error
Lewington is resigned to working with less players and will not have the money to keep several who are out of contract this summer unless Watford win promotion to the Premiership.
But he discussed where the axe could fall with assistant Terry Burton on a four-day training camp ahead of a crunch meeting with the Watford board in a month's time when he will learn his long-term budget.
Lewington said: "We know what we'd like to do but the crunch will come when the board tell us what we can do. There will be wastage.
"There will be players coming to the end of their contract that we won't sign even if the money is right. We have to prioritise our needs and we've used the Portugal trip to do that.
"But a lot will depend on the money we are given. I can talk until I'm blue in the face but if the club can't afford to do what I want to do it's pointless." BBC

Watford and Vialli - A Watford Fans Site Perspective
The perspective re Vialli of the now-defunct, but very interesting Watford Fan Site, Blind, Stupid and Desperate

Blind, Stupid and Desperate - I

Blind, Stupid and Desperate - II

Blind, Stupid and Desperate - III

Blind, Stupid and Desperate - IV

Blind, Stupid and Desperate - V

Blind, Stupid and Desperate - Axing Vialli

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The Times - Gregory’s hard times over with QPR in fast lane again
The manager can put his credit card away with an affluent new ownership team in place to pick up the bills instead - Kaveh Solhekol

Where do you start? John Gregory has been the manager of Queens Park Rangers for 12 months but he already feels ten years older than he did last September. As a football reporter you get used to asking questions that you already know the answer to, but Gregory has a lot to get off his chest.
QPR nearly went out of business before Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore bought the Coca-Cola Championship club for £14 million three weeks ago, and there have been plenty of mornings during the past year when Gregory has looked in the mirror and wondered whether he could carry on. Last month, one of his star strikers died in a car crash, in February his players hit the headlines for kung-fu fighting with the China Olympic team and the threat of administration and relegation have been haunting him nearly every day.
“We couldn’t pay our hotel bills on away trips so I had to get my credit card card out,” Gregory said. “That’s how bad things were before Bernie and Flavio arrived.”
As well as dipping into his own pocket, Gregory had to dismantle the club’s scouting system - “what’s the point of having scouts when you don’t have the money to buy anyone”, he said – and get rid of half his first-team squad. Just when he thought things could not get any worse, the photocopier in his office broke down last Christmas. When he tried to get it fixed, he was told that it would be impossible because the last repair bill was six months overdue.
“That was scratching the surface of the problems here,” Gregory said. “When I arrived the whole place had relegation written all over it. There was no love. No one cared. The players hated Saturdays. Twenty of them were injured because they didn’t want to play and they didn’t want to be associated with our problems.”
Showing demoralised players the door was the least of his problems. When he tried to sign replacements – on free transfers – he discovered that word had spread about the club’s financial problems and that players were reluctant to sign on the dotted line when their contracts might not be worth the paper that they were written on. “It was bloody hard,” Gregory, who played for QPR from 1981 to 1985, said. “I had to tell the players that we signed that everything was wonderful here. They kept telling me that they had heard that we were close to administration but I’d say no, no, no, where did you hear that? That was three years ago, everything is fine now, of course you’ll get paid next month.”
While Gregory demonstrated his ability to be economical with the truth, Gianni Paladini, the chairman, rang up everyone he could think of to try to raise funds to keep the club going. When Paladini rang Gregory and told him that Ecclestone, the Formula One ringmaster and one of the richest men in Britain, and Briatore, the managing director of the Renault Formula One team, wanted to buy the club, he could hardly believe what he was hearing. “I told Gianni he was living in a fantasy world when he mentioned their names,” Gregory said. “I told him to ring me back when he had sobered up. He was trying to convince me that they were coming but I refused to believe it until the deal was signed, sealed and delivered – what has happened is beyond our wildest dreams.”
At a meeting with Gregory last week, the new owners explained what was expected of him. He would be given money to spend in the transfer window in January, but in the meantime QPR had to start winning games. Unfortunately for Gregory, his team have not won this season, leading to speculation that he would be replaced by somebody with a higher profile, such as Gianluca Vialli, the former Chelsea manager. “I’ve been given no guarantees about my future,” Gregory said. “I was just told to carry on doing my job and to prepare the team as best as I can.”
Even if the worst comes to the worst and the club’s new owners opt for a quick fix and show him the door, Gregory has at least repaired some of the damage done to his reputation after his acrimonious departure from Derby County in March 2003. “The allegations against my role in transfers started when I left Aston Villa five years ago,” Gregory said. “Then Derby threw allegations at me which I proved were totally false and I won my case against them for unfair dismissal. I got paid a seven-figure sum in compensation. You don’t get that if you are guilty of anything.”
The photocopier in his office is fixed now and new scouts are being employed, but one thing Gregory cannot change is what happened on August 25, when Ray Jones, the club’s highly rated 18-year-old striker, died in a car crash in East London. “I’ve lost a few friends in the past but to lose one of your players was unbelievably difficult,” he said. “We had to go and bury one of our teammates – that was really tough.”
As his voice trails off, Gregory glances at the tape machine recording our conversation. “I’m sure you’ve got enough in there,” he said. More than enough, John. More than enough. The Times

Telegraph - Vultures circle over John Gregory at QPR - By Sam Green

Flavio Briatore is renowned for his love of fast cars, glamorous women and exotic locations. The prospect of trips to Hartlepool, Walsall and Yeovil will not excite the new QPR owner's palate.
This should be of major concern to manager John Gregory, who has presided over a winless start to the season that has left Rangers second from bottom. A scan of the directors' box on Saturday suggested he was a dead man walking. Gianluca Vialli and Martin Allen were the latest potential replacements to enjoy QPR's hospitality after Micky Adams last Tuesday.
It was hard not to feel some sympathy for Gregory. What other profession allows the vultures to circle its vulnerable quite so blatantly?
But the man himself was simmering with defiance after his team's gutsy display. "I don't worry about it, there's no pressure on me at all," Gregory said. "It doesn't bother me. You lot can say what you like."
Aidy Boothroyd, whose Watford side remain top, expressed his sympathy in his own idiosyncratic way. "You've got to be stupid to do this job first of all," he said. "If you win a lot of games, you know there's a fall coming, and if you're not winning, you're under pressure. So you can't really win. Unless you're winning."
There was no paucity of drama on the pitch — "It could have been a 7-6," said Boothroyd — but when on-loan Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson headed Watford in front after the break you feared a QPR collapse. However, 10 minutes later Stefan Moore crashed home a deserved equaliser.
Briatore, the managing director of Renault's Formula One team, and Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One's commercial rights holder, paid £14 million for QPR and have already spoken to the players.
"They said all they have ever done in their lives is win and they expect the same here," said Moore. And that, for Gregory, is the bottom line....
Telegraph

Independent - QPR 1 Watford 1: Gregory feels the pressure By Andrew Warshaw

A first home point of the season may not be enough to keep John Gregory in the job of Queen's Park Rangers manager. Rumours persist that the Renault team principal Flavio Briatore and his partner at Loftus Road, the Formula One rights holder Bernie Ecclestone, are considering a new face. Four prospective candidates, including Gianluca Vialli and Martin Allen, were in the directors' box on Saturday.
No one would deny that Gregory's players did their best, fully deserving to hold the Championship leaders. The man himself says he is unfazed by the speculation but it is clear he is getting rattled. "It doesn't bother me one bit," he said. "I worry more for my players because they're the ones who have to go out there and perform. It has maybe been a little bit unsettling for some of them.
"I just get on with the job. I don't care what the media say about me ... just leave my players alone. You lot killed [Jose] Mourinho, you loved and welcomed him for the first 18 months, then people turned on him when he started winning everything. You were always looking for blood."
Gregory stressed how the recent death of the 18-year-old England youth international Ray Jones in a car accident had "hit the dressing room really badly".
The veteran Gareth Ainsworth inspired his team-mates and when he went off at half-time Rangers missed his drive and motivation. Still, it was his replacement, Stefan Moore, who earned a point, drilling home a rebound after Dexter Blackstock's looping header came back off the bar.
That cancelled out Adam Johnson's close-range effort and, although Rangers played the last nine minutes with 10 men after Mikele Leigertwood was sent off for a second yellow card, Watford could not capitalise.
Watford's manager, Adrian Boothroyd, said: "We've learnt lessons and the players have got themselves off the floor [after relegation] but many teams have set a pace and not gone up."
Rangers' players have met their new owners. "They will obviously bring funds to the club, which will help everyone," Moore said. "They want us to have a winning mentality and we all want to be part of it." Whether that will include Gregory remains to be seen. Independent

The Guardian - Gregory looks nervously over his shoulder as Vialli waits in the wings - James Callow at Loftus Road
Forgive John Gregory his paranoia. The Queens Park Rangers manager had already had to come to terms with the arrival of ambitious new owners and his team's poor form, and on Saturday his position was further undermined by the presence of Gianluca Vialli only yards behind him in the stand.
Martin Allen, recently freed from his contract with Leicester City, also sat among the directors as his former club battled with the division's leaders, but it was Vialli, whose success at Chelsea was followed by an erratic stint with Watford, who caused the more speculation.
Gregory joked "Has Vialli been in yet?" at his post-match press conference. He had not, but the incumbent's position is under review by Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone - the formula one impresarios and new owners - and it seems they have begun their succession planning. A source close to Vialli said he was at the game as a guest of Briatore in a personal, not professional capacity. The source added that the Italian would consider the job if it became available but there had been no discussions yet.
In Briatore and Ecclestone, who had watched as Rangers lurched to a 2-0 defeat by Plymouth last week, Gregory has employers who are both unaccustomed to and intolerant of failure, and he expects to learn his fate in the next few weeks.
"I've not spoken to them much," he said. "When I have seen them we have discussed the direction that we want the club to go in but they are extremely busy with formula one and when that tails off I'm sure they'll spend more time here."
When that time comes, Gregory will hope to have banked several more performances of the calibre of this one. After falling behind to Adam Johnson's 49th-minute goal, Stefan Moore fired in Dexter Blackstock's rebounded shot 10 minutes later to hand Rangers their first home point of the season, and it might easily been three had they converted any of a clutch of first-half chances.
"The players were outstanding today. People who aren't connected to QPR would never believe what the lads went through when they lost one of their team-mates," said Gregory of the recent death in a car crash of the young striker Ray Jones. "They had to overcome that and I think they have done. Watford are top of the league but there really wasn't anything between the two teams and I think we should have won the game."
On a day where flamboyance was confined to the Loftus Road directors' box, Rangers relied upon energy and emotion to carry them through, with Adam Bolder and Danny Cullip outstanding, not least when Mikele Leigertwood's 81st-minute dismissal left them short-handed.
Watford were more calculating, even if Aidy Boothroyd's series of equations for once failed to add up. "We dropped ourselves in it. We got in good positions and then we let ourselves down. I certainly expected a better performance, but the important thing when you're not playing well is that you pick up points," he said.
In Marlon King, Darius Henderson and Nathan Ellington he has three coveted strikers, but arguably Boothroyd himself is the team's star. His enduring presence has given the club sufficient credibility to lure this game's outstanding player, Johnson, on a three-month loan from Middlesbrough. Johnson's goal, a far-post header, was unbecoming of a winger whose deft skills set him apart from his team-mates.
Watford missed that kind of guile in their short Premiership stint but according to Boothroyd this side has far more to offer. "We weren't disciplined enough today, but we will be. It's a very young team and I don't think we'll see the best of us until we get to February."
Whether Gregory has the security to plan so far forward is another matter.
Man of the match: Adam Johnson
Redolent of a bygone age, the on-loan Middlesbrough academy winger barely fills his shirt and at times he lacks urgency, but he moves with deceptive speed and his jinking left foot has the ability to mesmerise defenders.
Best moment: His corner gave Dan Shittu a clear sight of goal and one weaving run left QPR grasping air. Guardian

MIRROR - GREGORY'S BIG FIGHT - Press 'killed' Jose, rages QPR boss
By Michael Martin
Good old John Gregory. Not for him the placid, philosophical approach to impending doom favoured by the likes of Martin Jol.

Not for him the unflappable civility of Wenger, Eriksson and Co.
When cornered by the baying press pack on Saturday afternoon, you could see the fear and loathing in Gregory's eyes as he came out fighting in true British bulldog style.
The QPR boss (below) would reportedly have been sacked had his side lost to league leaders Watford - and the presence of high-profile jobseekers Martin Allen and Gianluca Vialli in the directors' box would hardly have set his mind at ease.
However the response Gregory got from his players suggests there could be life in the old dog yet.
And the manager's performance post-match suggests that, if he goes, he will not be going quietly.
Amid lavish praise for his players there were claims that the media "killed" former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, as well as some gnomic utterances about the Bernie Ecclestone-Flavio Briatore regime now in charge at Loftus Road.
Gregory snarled: "You lot can say what you like. I don't give a s***. It does not bother me one bit - but just leave my lads alone.
"You lot have killed Mourinho. You loved him and welcomed him for the first 18 months, he was writing copy for you right, left and centre.
"Then you turned on him when he started winning everything.
Everything that went on at Chelsea - the media could smell blood and the media should take some responsibility.
"I didn't see anyone in the directors' box - I was facing the pitch. I've not spoken to the new board too much.
"When I have seen them we have discussed the direction we want the club to go in, but they are busy with Formula One.
"When that tails off I'm sure they will spend more time here.
The players were outstanding, 100 per cent committed. You people who are not connected with QPR would not have any idea what those players went through when Ray Jones died last month.
"It hit this club like you would never believe and it hit most of the people in my dressing room.
They had to overcome that, which they have."
Gregory's side had to face adversity on the pitch too. Gareth Ainsworth, in his first game back after breaking his leg, was a breath of fresh air in the first half but lasted only 45 minutes. And four minutes after the break Watford took the lead.
Marlon King's looping cross was hooked back across goal by Tommy Smith, leaving Adam Johnson with the simple task of nodding it over the line.
The visiting fans chanted "Bye bye John Gregory" but their gloating was premature... Mirror

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Sunday Mirror - IT'S NOT NICE TO SHARE - David James 23/09/2007 More The Mole
Delighted Qpr shareholders wait with bated breath to see if the purchase of their club by Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone is going to lead them to the promised land of the Premier League.
The only concern until now has not been the dilution of their shares to give the Formula One boys a working majority but why, now the deal is done, the small investors need to sell their shares for just one penny a share?
Surely it's better to hold on to the shares because they might be worth much more soon - if Rangers make it to the land of milk and honey! Sunday Mirror
[Thanks to the person who kindly pointed this item out to me.]

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Paul Jones joins Bognor....Danny Shittu played for Watford against QPR...Clarke Carlisle got an injury time equalizer for Burnley at Bristol City...Paul Furlong scored for Luton as they beat Port Vale 2-1.... Mark Bircham was on the subs bench for Yeovil (didn't come on) as they won 2-1 at Dean Wilkins' Brighton... Matt Rose wasn't in the squad; presumably injured... Kevin Gallen was Not in the MK Dons squad that won yesterday. Tony Roberts let in a goal as Dagenham drew 1-1... Gary Waddock's Aldershot won 4-3 yesterday and are top of the Division.... Ian Holloway's Plymouth lost 3-2 at Stoke.... Blackpool's Ian Evatt went off after 24 mins in their 2-2 draw with Colchester.... Peter Crouch came on as a late sub for Liverpool, as the team drew 0-0 at home to Birmingham... Lee Cook is still out injured for Fulham ....Chris Day was on the Subs bench for Millwall as they drew 0-0 vs Crewe... Trevor Sinclair played the first 75 minutes for Cardiff as they drew 2-2 at home to Preston.... Jamie Cureton played the first 68 minutes as Norwich lost 2-0 at Wolves.... Ian Dowie's Coventry lost again: 1-4 at Ipswich... Dougie Freedman came on a second half sub for Crystal Palace as they beat Sheffield United 3-2.


BBC - Bognor sign ex-Wales keeper Jones

Wales goalkeeping coach Paul Jones has joined non-League side Bognor Town on a short-term deal.
The 40-year-old, who has won 50 caps for Wales, was released by Queen's Park Rangers in May and has not played competitive football since.
Welsh Premiership champions The New Saints wanted Jones to join them for their Champions League campaign but he rejected that overture.
Now he has agreed to play for the Rocks in the Blue Square Conference South.
Jones made his Bognor debut in last week's 3-1 home loss to Bath City, with his new team then losing to a last-minute goal in Saturday's trip to Thurrock.
BBC

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OBSERVER - Jason Thomas
".....Watford, the Championship leaders, also had to settle for a draw after being ahead at QPR. The point - QPR's first of the season at home - will have been particularly welcome for their manager John Gregory. QPR, who had Mikele Leigertwood sent off near the end, certainly showed the 'strength of character' which Gregory had said he was looking for. None more so than their goalkeeper Leo Camp, their best player. Obsever

Sunday Mirror - Football: Shadow over Gregory can't faze Rangers
Mike Allen At Loftus Road 23/09/2007
John GREGORY's job as Rangers boss hung by a thread last night as his side earned a battling draw with Championship leaders Watford at Loftus Road.
Rangers are the only team in the League without a win this season and he will not have been encouraged by the appearance of ex-Ranger Martin Allen and former
Watford and Chelsea boss Gianluca Vialli in the directors' box. Rangers were hampered by the second half dismissal of Mikele Leigertwood, but did little else wrong and were given a standing ovation off the pitch after Stefan Moore cancelled out Adam Johnson's goal, but it may be too little too late for Gregory.
Rangers have not always provided the sort of application they showed yesterday which would persuade new owners Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone that Gregory is the man to fulfil their ambitious plans to return Premiership football to Loftus Road.
A defiant Gregory said: "I am extremely proud of the players, they were outstanding. "I worry more for the players than me.
There's pressure on them to perform, I'm just the manager, although it has been a little unsettling for them.
"Anyone not connected with the club has no idea what the players went through when Ray Jones died a couple of weeks ago.
"They have had to overcome it and refocus on the job, which has taken time."
Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd offered Gregory his support and said: "A few days ago Jose Mourinho wasn't a very good manager, but now he's God because he's gone. So if you are a manager the best thing is to be out of work because you get nice things written about you."
Lee Williamson, Danny Shittu and Tommy Smith all went close for Watford before the break and Dexter Blackstock and Gareth Ainsworth missed glorious opportunities for Rangers as both teams drew a blank despite decent approach play....
HOW THEY RATED Qpr Camp 8; Cullip 6, D Stewart 7, Timoska 6, Barker 6; Ainsworth 6 (Moore 7), Bolder 6, Leigertwood 6, Rowlands; Nardiello 6 (Ephraim 7), Blackstock 5.
Manager Gregory 7
Watford Poom 6; Doyley 6, Shittu 6, DeMerit 6 (Mariappa 6), J Stewart 6; Smith 6 (McAnuff 6), Mahon 7, Williamson 6, Johnson 7; King 6, Henderson 7 (Ellington 6).
Manager Boothroyd 7
Referee K Hill 7
MAN OF THE MATCH Lee Camp Late saves may have saved his manager's job
Sunday Mirror

WATFORD OBSERVER
A BELOW-PAR Watford had to settle for a point after being held to a 1-1 draw at Queens Park Rangers this afternoon (Saturday).
After a very lively opening in which both sides could, and perhaps should, have scored, the Hornets made the breakthrough minutes after the restart when on-loan Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson headed home a Tommy Smith cross.
However, Watford were unable to build on this goal and were pegged back when substitute Stefan Moore capitalised from close range after a Dexter Blackstock header had rebounded off the bar.
The visitors were handed the numerical advantage with nine minutes left when Mikele Leigertwood was dismissed for a second yellow card, but they were unable to find a way through Rangers' stubborn rearguard..... Watford Observer

The PEOPLE -MOORE TIME FOR GREGORY - By Jack Steggles
Stefan Moore came off the bench to grab the goal that could keep Rangers boss John Gregory in his job just a little longer.
With Rangers still seeking their first win this season, the presence of Martin Allen and Gianluca Vialli in the directors' box must worry Gregory.
But the players showed they are still behind their manager with a battling display against the top dogs....
Qpr: *CAMP 8 - Timoska 7, Cullip 7, D Stewart 6, Barker 6 - Ainsworth 5 (Moore, 45mins, 7), Boulder 6, Leigertwood 5, Rowlands 5 - Nardiello 6 (Ephraim, 40mins, 5), Blackstock 6.
Watford: Poom 6 - Doyley 6, Shittu 6, DeMerit 7 (Mariappa, 45mins, 6), J Stewart 6 - Smith 6 (McAnuff, 73mins), Mahon 6, Williamson 6, *JOHNSON 8 - King 7, Henderson 6 (Ellington, 73mins). Ref: K Hill 6. People

Telegraph QPR (0) 1 Watford (0) 1 - (By Andrew Warshaw)
If John Gregory is on his way out of Queen Park Rangers, after a year as manager, he could not have asked much more from his struggling team yesterday, writes Andrew Warshaw.
A goal behind early in the second half, Rangers scored a deserved equaliser against the Championship pacesetters, picking up their first home point of the season despite playing the last 10 minutes a man short after Mikele Leigertword was sent off for a second book able offence.
Rumours that Gregory is on the verge of being ousted by QPR's new regime of Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone were fuelled by the appearance of no fewer than four prospective candidates in the directors' box.
They included former Chelsea manager Gianluca Vialli and Martin Allen, most recently of Leicester.
But Gregory refused to be drawn on his future preferring to dwell on the way his team have recovered from the recent death of team-mate Ray Jones, tragically killed in a car accident.
"Those not connected with this club cannot appreciate what the players have been through," said Gregory. "It hit everyone in the dressing room so badly and they have had to refocus on their job. I can't worry about all the speculation, it's been more unsettling for the players."
Dexter Blackstock missed two first-half sitters for Rangers but in a thoroughly open game Watford were just as profligate until Adam Johnson, on loan from Middlesbrough, couldn't miss.
Just as Rangers were in danger of losing their way, Blackstock's looping header came back off the bar and substitute Stefan Moore netted the rebound.Telegraph

See Also Earlier QPR-Watford Match Reports and Comments

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QPR's home draw with Watford means that they're equal bottom with Shefield Wednesday (with QPR having a game in hand, and still looking for their first victory since April)

Hear: Audio of Gregory's Post Match Comments - Gregory's Comments - BBC

QPR Official Site WE DESERVED MORE
John Gregory hailed the performance of his side after the 1-1 draw with league leaders Watford at Loftus Road.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, the Rangers gaffer said: "We were a few players short today, so god knows what we'd have done to them with a full squad. We were fantastic and deserved the win.
"The players were all first class - each and every one of them stood up to be counted and I'm so proud of them.
"Watford are a difficult side to play against and we matched them across the 90 minutes."
Gregory responded to on-going speculation about his future, saying: "People talk about pressure but there's no pressure on me at all.
"All the pressure is on the players and today they responded in style.
"They were magnificent - Cullip, Bolder and Ainsworth were inspirational. Sampsa was exceptional on his first start of the season and I saw the real Mikele before he received the red card.
"The referee lost it a bit in the second half. He was too quick to blow his whistle and he should have awarded us a penalty in the closing stages when Dexter was dragged to ground.
"All in all I'm pleased with the performance, but I think we deserved the three points." QPR

SPORTING LIFE
John Gregory admitted some of his players may have been affected by speculation about his future following the 1-1 draw at home to Coca-Cola Championship leaders Watford.
Stefan Moore's equaliser saved Rangers from a fifth consecutive home defeat and may have kept the under-pressure Gregory in a job.
Former Chelsea boss Gianluca Vialli and ex-QPR player Martin Allen, who have both been linked with the Loftus Road hot-seat, watched the game from the directors' box.
"I don't worry about it all," said Gregory.
"I worry more for my players because they're the ones who have to go out there and perform.
"It has maybe been a little bit unsettling for some of them.
"It doesn't bother me one bit though. I just get on with the job. I don't care what the media say about me - just leave my players alone."
Gregory continued: "I'm extremely proud of my players. They gave me everything, which they always have done.
"People not connected with QPR cannot understand how the death of Ray Jones affected my players. They've had to overcome that and focus on their job.
"Today, they dealt with a very strong Watford side and you couldn't see much difference between the teams. I think we should have won the game."
Watford went ahead when Tommy Smith pounced after Chris Barker's hesitation and pulled the ball back for an unmarked Adam Johnson to score from close range.
But Rangers replied with an equaliser on 59 minutes. Moore followed up to slam home the loose ball after his cross had been headed against the bar by Dexter Blackstock.
QPR played the last 10 minutes a man short after Mikele Leigertwood was sent off for a second bookable offence following a foul on Lloyd Doyley.
Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd said: "It was a very open game - too open for my liking. I was disappointed by the way we defended while we were attacking at times.
"We didn't keep QPR locked in when we were going forward and were then having to run 60 or 70 yards to rescue situations.
"I'm also very disappointed with the chances we missed in the first half and I think QPR will feel the same about the chances they missed.
"I felt there was a chance to go for it after the sending off and we threw men forward, but Lee Camp produced a great save near the end.
"Loftus Road is always a difficult place to come and I'm sure QPR will turn the corner and that John Gregory will get them organised.
"Looking at that game, you probably wouldn't know which team was top of the table and which was near the bottom. That's the nature of the Championship." Sporting Life

Watford Official Site - BOOTHROYD HAILS HIS KING
MARLON King was picked out by Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd for special praise at Queens Park Rangers today, as the Hornets toiled to gain a valuable point in the west London sun.
Speaking of the fans' favourite King, the manager said: "I thought Marlon King was terrific today, his contribution was absolutely outstanding.
"If leaving him out against Cardiff did the trick then I'm delighted as he was stupendous today. The work that he did, the way he pulled other people around and but for Lee Camp's acrobatics he could have had two or three goals."
Moments after the scoring draw at Loftus Road Boothroyd then gave this reaction to his sides' point: "It was tough, an entertaining game for the neutral and it could have been 4-3 at half-time.
"To be honest though I'm disappointed, we thought we had enough to get something more from the game, the chances were there but we didn't capitalise upon them and we gave away silly fouls and too much of the ball to them, too often.

"That's what you get, you draw games when you don't do what you've got to."

Despite the low scoring nature of the fixture both sides had opportunity to bag a hat full of goals, which Boothroyd was only too aware of.
"It was a very open game. For me the most important thing when you are attacking is that you get your defending right and we didn't do that today.
"We were counter-attacked far too often today on our own attacks, but there you go. We are going to have games like that this year when don't perform at our best at the end of a very, very long week."
That week has seen wins over Southampton and Cardiff and added to today's draw Boothroyd concluded that it hadn't been a bad week after all's said and done.
"Of course it's not a bad week, we just want to win. The thing I have said all along is that if we're at it, all eleven of us every game, then there will be very few teams if any that can live with us in this league.
"We're disappointed we've not got more out of it but fair play to QPR, they could have won the game easily as well."
Having seen Rangers drop to ten men in the closing stages Boothroyd was also frustrated to see his change in tactics fail to pay dividends.
"Playing against ten men you should take advantage of it, but we know how to deal with it, we know what to do, but we still got counter-attacked.
"We went for the game and went to win it by playing 2-4-4 and shoved bid Dan [Shittu] up to try and get the winner, today it just didn't happen."
Watford added another scorer to their seasonal list in the shape of loanee Adam Johnson and Boothroyd was pleased to see another fresh face notching.
"The more people we can get scoring the better, as long as we are scoring and not relying on one person."
Finally Boothroyd confirmed that defender Jay DeMerit was taken off as a precautionary measure following injury in midweek against Cardiff.
"He took a very nasty blow to the calf, a six-studded present from Wales. He was struggling to make the game but got through bit because that's the type of guy he is.
"He just started to cramp up in the second half when he came out early so I thought it best not to risk him as we need him fit for a longer period." Watford

BBC - QPR 1-1 Watford
Lee Camp was QPR's hero against Watford at Loftus Road
Keeper Lee Camp produced a heroic display to earn 10-man QPR a point against Championship leaders Watford.
Watford took the lead after 49 minutes when Lee Williamson picked out Adam Johnson to rise high and head home.
QPR were level within 10 minutes when Stefan Moore turned in a rebound after Dexter Blackstock struck the post.
Mikele Leigertwood was sent off with nine minutes left for a second yellow card, but Camp denied Marlon King and Nathan Ellington as QPR held on.
QPR boss John Gregory:
"I'm extremely proud of my players. They gave me everything, which they always have done.
"People not connected with QPR cannot understand how the death of Ray Jones affected my players. They've had to overcome that and focus on their job.
"They dealt with a very strong Watford side and you couldn't see much difference between the teams. I think we should have won the game."

Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd:
"It was a very open game - too open for my liking. I was disappointed by the way we defended while we were attacking at times.
"I'm also very disappointed with the chances we missed in the first half and I think QPR will feel the same about the chances they missed.
"Loftus Road is always a difficult place to come and I'm sure QPR will turn the corner and that John Gregory will get them organised." BBC

Watford Vital Football
"Q.P.R - occasionally known as 'Quarter pound of rubbish`. Off the field it probably should be more than 'Quarter Pound` as the roof leaked, the food ran out and the stewards objected to fans standing in the back row. On the field though, John Gregory`s men impressive but crucially, failed to convert their chances..." Watford Vital Football

MAIL - Gregory feels the pressure - BY MICK COLLINS -
The result of this game, the rumours suggested, would decide John Gregory's immediate managerial future. If that is the case, time will tell how patient Rangers' new majority shareholders, Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone, are.
Stefan Moore scored Rangers' first home goal of the season when netting from 10 yards, cancelling out Adam Johnson's close-range header for Watford and earning Rangers their first home point of the campaign. However, Mikele Leigertwood's red card for a second booking meant Rangers did not go all out for the win.
The presence of four potential managers — Gianluca Vialli, Dave Bassett, Gerry Francis and Martin Allen— in the directors' box will only pile the pressure on Gregory. Mail


Vital Football - QPR Game Statistics - Vital Football

See Also: Earlier QPR-Watford Match Reports

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QPR picked up their first home point of the season with a 1-1 draw against league Leaders Watford. Watford went ahead. QPR equalized from sub, Moore. QPR's recent 900,000 pound signing, Mikele Leigertwood was sent off, near the end. A crowd of just over 14,000 was there. Table after today
Played Points
Norwich 7 7
Leicester 6 6
Preston 7 5
QPR 6 3
Sheff Wed 7 3

See: Minute-by-Minute Match Report

Timoska and Ainsworth returned for QPR. Moore dropped to the bench...No Nygaard, Ward, Rehman or Doherty, even on the bench.
QPR Camp; Barker, D Stewart, Cullip, Timoska; Ainsworth, Rowlands, Leigertwood, Bolder (c); Blackstock, Nardiello.
Subs: Cole (gk), Bignot, Curtis, Ephraim, Moore.

Watford Poom; Doyley, Shittu, DeMerit, J Stewart; Johnson, Mahon (c), Williamson, Smith; King, Henderson.
Subs: Lee (gk), Mariappa, Ellington, Priskin, McAnuff.

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - MATCH REPORT
en-man Rangers shared the spoils with table-toppers Watford in a pulsating local derby in W12.

Substitute Stefan Moore's first goal since December 2005 proved decisive, as the R's came from behind to gain a morale-booting point against Aidy Boothroyd's high-fliers.

Earlier, Middlesborough loanee Adam Johnson put the Hornets in front in the 49th minute, when he headed home Tommy Smith's back post cross.

Moore put Rangers on terms though with a spectacular close range strike, and after Mikele Leigertwood saw red for two bookable offences, Rangers had strong appeals for a spot-kick waved away, when Dexter Blackstock appeared to be sent tumbling to ground by Lloyd Doyley.

John Gregory made two changes to the starting XI after Tuesday's defeat against Plymouth Argyle.

Finnish international Sampsa Timoska replaced Zesh Rehman at right back, while Gareth Ainsworth made his first start of the season, at the expense of Moore.

It was combative midfielders' first appearance since breaking his leg against Luton Town in April.

Boothroyd opted for the fire-power of Marlon King and Darius Henderson in attack, which meant Club record signing Nathan Ellington had to make do with a place amongst the Hornets' substitutes.

Backed by 3,000-plus fanatical Hornets fans, Boothroyd's men should have been in front as early as the fourth minute.

King linked up efficiently with Smith and when his cross from the by-line fell into the path of the roaming Lee Williamson on the edge of the penalty box, the midfielder fluffed his lines, skewing the ball high and wide.

Undeterred, Rangers were on the front foot moments later. Blackstock was gifted far too much time and space from an Ainsworth throw-in and when he tricked his way past former Rangers defender Danny Shittu with comparative ease, he volleyed wide with the goal gaping.

In an end-to-end opening, Shittu - returning to Loftus Road for the first time since his move from QPR to Vicarage Road - saw his header tipped onto the bar by Lee Camp, while at the other end, the inspired Ainsworth thrashed a cross into the six-yard box, which Blackstock just failed to poach home.

Smith should have opened the scoring in the eighth minute, but he was wasteful from eight-yards, dragging his right foot shot a yard wide of Camp's right hand post.

Rangers were by no means second best though and as the clock ticked towards the 27th minute, Blackstock stole a march on Jay De Merit, only to glance his header inches wide of Mart Poom's left post.

Adam Bolder was impressing in the heart of the R's midfield and it was the Rangers skipper that provided the next chance on 33 minutes.

Having evaded Gavin Mahon's last-ditch tackle, Bolder centred for Blackstock, who was only denied by a superbly timed block by Lloyd Doyley.

The R's were dealt a huge blow five minutes before the break, as Danny Nardiello was forced from the fray with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and replaced by Hogan Ephraim.

Blackstock headed another enticing Timoska cross over the bar 60 seconds later, while at the other end, Camp thwarted King, when the Hornets front-man let fly from 20-yards.

Henderson was first to react to the rebound, only to be denied yet again by the retreating Camp, who like his team-mates, was unaware of the linesman's raised flag for offside.

On the stroke of half-time, Ephraim broke away at pace down the right before delivering an inch-perfect cross for Blackstock at the far post. Unfortunately, the Rangers front-man's first-time volley flew high and wide from 10 yards.

Gregory replaced the hardworking Ainsworth with Moore at the break, while the Hornets also made a change, with Adrian Mariappa entering the fray in place of De Merit.

The second half was just four minutes old when Watford opened the scoring.

Smith capitalised on a moment of hesitancy from Chris Barker and his pull-back was headed home at the far post by the unmarked Johnson.

The lead lasted just eight minutes though, as Rangers showed courageous character to respond.

Neat interplay between Rowlands and Ephraim saw the latter feed the ball out wide to Moore, whose first time cross was met by the towering Blackstock at the far post.

The frame of the goal came to Poom's rescue, but there was nothing the Estonian goalkeeper could do to prevent Moore from smashing home the rebound off the underside of the crossbar.

Buoyed by the equaliser, Rangers really began to take the game to the visitors, with former R's defender Shittu sticking out a foot to thwart Blackstock, as the Hoops striker was ready to pounce.

The same player should have forced the overworked Poom into yet more work 20 minutes from time, only to scuff his left footed effort wide, after Rowlands again played provider.

Sensing his side had lost their way, Hornets boss Boothroyd made a double change in the 73rd minute, introducing Ellington and Jobi McAnuff to the fray in place of Henderson and Smith.

It was Rangers who continued to ask all the questions though, with Bolder and Rowlands leading by example in the R's midfield.

But the hosts were dealt a huge blow in the 80th minute, when Leigertwood was shown a second yellow card and a resultant red, for a late challenge on Doyley.

Buoyed by their numerical advantage, Watford threw everything at Rangers in the dying moments.

Shittu, now playing in an advanced role, nodded the ball down for King, whose saw his shot on the turn saved by Camp and then hacked off the line by Moore.

Seconds later, another aerial assault from the Hornets saw the ball fall at the feet of Ellington, whose thunderous drive was again expertly saved by the R's number one, albeit at the second attempt.

Vocal late appeals for a QPR penalty fell on deaf ears, when Blackstock appeared to be dragged to ground by Doyley, before Moore's sublime solo run ended with his shot being deflected wide for a corner.

QPR: Camp, Barker, Cullip, Stewart, Bolder, Nardiello (Ephraim 40), Blackstock, Ainsworth (Moore 46), Rowlands, Timoska, Leigertwood.
Subs: Cole, Bignot, Moore, Curtis.
Scorers: Moore 58
Bookings: Bolder 14, Leigertwood 45 & 80, Cullip 53
Red Cards: Leigertwood 80

Watford: Poom, Stewart, Shittu, De Merit (Mariappa 46), Mahon, King, Henderson (Ellington 73), Doyley, Williamson, Smith (McAnuff 73), Johnson.
Subs: Lee, Priskin.
Scorers: Johnson 49
Bookings: Mahon 62, Doyley 88
Red Cards:
Referee: K D Hill
Attendance: 14,240 QPR


WATFORD OFFICIAL SITE Match Report
DESPITE the form guide, this was a game that was tighter than most would have thought - and indeed closer than Aidy Boothroyd would have liked.

The first half was end to end, but it wasn't until after the break when the goals started to flow.

Adam Johnson gave the Hornets the lead, but it was short lived as Stefan Moore equalised just ten minutes later.

The sending off of Mikele Leigertwood for a second bookable offence gave Watford the advantage, but they couldn't make it count as both teams sat out the draw.

Aidy Boothroyd said that he wouldn't be scared to change a winning team and that's exactly what he did, bringing Marlon King back into the starting line up alongside the in form Darius Henderson.

The fit again Lee Williamson returned at the expense of Aidy Mariappa and loan signing Adam Johnson retained his place in the starting eleven.

Two minutes in and Watford had their first attack on goal, albeit a wayward strike from Gavin Mahon from outside the area.

Then following a hashed clearance from keeper Lee Camp, Lloyd Doyley picked up the loose ball and pelted it down the line for Tommy Smith. The winger then waltzed it to the by-line and cut it back for Lee Williamson, but his finishing had the same outcome as Mahon's minutes earlier.

Dexter Blackstock suffered a similar fate at the other end before Watford were on the attack once more, this time with Damion Stewart almost diverting into his own net.

From the resulting corner, Dan Shittu almost allowed Watford to take the lead against his former club when his header was tipped onto the bar by Camp.

It was certainly end to end stuff now, with just eight minutes gone and it was Rangers on the attack with Gareth Ainsworth missing a glorious chance and blazing the ball over the bar.

Barely able to keep up with the chances now, Smith struck the ball and held his head in his hands as it flew inches wide. It was a case of simply not knowing which team was going to take the lead as the opening ten minutes certainly didn't look like a top versus near bottom clash.

The attentions of Danny Cullip and Adam Bolder saw Johnson go to ground in the box, but the referee waved play on rather than pointing to the spot.

A flurry of Watford attacks ended with Williamson's shot being blocked by Sampsa Timoska and Williamson on the floor. Watford were quite literally throwing themselves at the QPR goal.

Jay DeMerit then had to come to the rescue with a flying headed clearance after Bolder delivered a deep cross into the box. Both teams were producing the goods - Watford out of class and QPR out of sheer desperation.

The attentions of Doyley then managed to thwart Martin Rowlands as he dribbled into the box, weaving this way and that. Doyley however was far more cute with his intentions and merely robbed the midfielder in his stride.

Doyley was the hero once more when Dexter Blackstock picked up the ball and was just about to stroke it home, but somehow, the Hornets stalwart got his body in the path of the ball and knocked it out for a corner.

QPR were certainly throwing the kitchen sink at Watford, it's amazing what a local derby can enable a team to produce. This time, Blackstock headed over, but Poom looked comfortable had it been on target.

Watford had their best chance to take the lead four minutes before the break. Marlon King stormed through and saw his shot deflected by Camp. Henderson was on hand to follow up the rebound, but somehow the grounded Camp managed to throw himself in front of the ball and deflect it away. But with the linesman's flag aloft, it was probably better that it didn't hit the back of the net.

Given that, on current form, this game should have been wrapped up by now, Rangers were certainly giving the Hornets a run for their money and Aidy Boothroyd will certainly have had some words of wisdom for his men at half time.

And he was clearly concise with whatever words he chose to issue, because the Watford boys were out ten minutes later, jogging lengths of the pitch and doing a few extra exercises.

One notable absentee was DeMerit who made way for Aidy Mariappa.

Watford wasted no time in going on the attack, King just couldn't dig the ball out well enough to beat Camp. But worry not, for the Hornets were about to take the lead through wonder loan signing Johnson.

Tommy Smith carved open the defence in the same way that he has all season. Sprinting to the by line and cutting the ball back in a similar style to that which lead to Shittu's goal against Ipswich.

The ball looped to the far post where the Boro boy was waiting for its descent and with one deft touch, it was 1-0.

It was short lived however as Stefan Moore scored QPR's first goal of their home Championship campaign. Ready to scoop up the ball as it clattered back off the crossbar following Blackstock's shot, Moore drove the ball past Poom.

Buoyed by the goal, QPR enjoyed a spell on the attack while Watford looked happy to soak up the pressure. Aidy Boothroyd said after the win at Cardiff that they liked to make life hard for themselves and it looked as though his men were doing it once again.

Clearly unhappy with the lackadaisical nature of his men, Boothroyd man a double change, introducing Nathan Ellington and Jobi McAnuff for Henderson and Smith.

Ellington's first touch was a free kick from outside the area, on target, but gathered, and then dropped by Camp. Williamson slid in with every right to get the ball and caught the Rangers keeper, causing a melee involving a few Rangers players, but the referee's card stayed firmly in his pocket.

He was reaching for the red moments later however when Mikele Leigertwood clattered into Doyley. His second yellow card saw him departing for an early bath to give Watford the one man advantage.

A free for all in the box moments later saw Stefan Moore's goal line clearance from King deny the Hornets the opportunity to take the lead and score the winner.

Substitute Ellington brought the best out of Camp then when his shot on the turn surely stung the hands of the keeper. His vicious shot looked to be every inch the goal, but for the one handed save of the former Derby stopper.

There was to be no late strikes to give the Hornets the win this time, despite their best efforts. A game that they should have won, and tried in earnest to. But sometimes, it's just not meant to be. Watford

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Timoska and Ainsworth return. Rehman is out...Moore drops to the bench...No Nygaard, Ward or Doherty, even on the bench.

QPR Camp; Barker, D Stewart, Cullip, Timoska; Ainsworth, Rowlands, Leigertwood, Bolder (c); Blackstock, Nardiello.
Subs: Cole (gk), Bignot, Curtis, Ephraim, Moore.

Watford Poom; Doyley, Shittu, DeMerit, J Stewart; Johnson, Mahon (c), Williamson, Smith; King, Henderson.
Subs: Lee (gk), Mariappa, Ellington, Priskin, McAnuff.

Watford Site

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John Curtis Icons Diary
The takeover of QPR football club has to be good news for everyone and we can now start to plan for the future knowing that we've got one.
Flavio Briatore came and spoke to us all the other day and I have to say that we were all very impressed by him. He's a tough character and made it clear how ambitious he was for the club.
He came in and said "I'm a winner and either you're winners too or you're not with me." He told us we were fortunate to have him because with him QPR was going places and that we could either join that journey or leave.
Basically he has succeeded in everything he has turned his hand to and he's not prepared to fail at anything – certainly not at running a football club. And we are committed to helping that success now.
The lads are really excited and want to be involved with what's happening here. This is a great club, with fantastic fans and it should be going places. We all believe we should be in the Premiership and now with what the new owners can bring that is possible.
I'm sure the fans are happy and relieved because they have suffered with all the uncertainties and now something concrete is happening and they don't have to worry about.
Of course it all has to start here and now on the pitch.....
But there is a new era beginning at the club and I'm sure we will all rise to the challenge and things will start picking up pretty soon. We know there is going to be money for new players, which we need. But we also know that means more competition and every player will be doing his best to prove he is worthy of a place.
Icons

Mark Bircham - Icons Diary - Desperate to be a part of it
"... I'm finally over all my injury problems and starting to feel really strong. I played the first 45 minutes for the reserves against Exeter on Wednesday and had no reaction at all. The following day I had a bit of pre-season stiffness but that's all.....
I came here because I believed that Yeovil had a real chance of going up into the Championship and after being here a short time I am even more convinced of that. ....

I was obviously interested in the news that QPR was being taken over by the Formula 1 guys and it all looks like a good deal for the club. Rangers have been the team I've supported all my life and I still care deeply about them.
It couldn't have got much worse than it was, so anyone coming in to save QPR was essential. The fact that these guys seem to want to put money in and build the club is just a bonus.
These are businessmen with credentials who are not fly-by-night merchants and it looks like they really do have the resources to buy players and take the club forward. It'll be interesting in January to see if they come up with the hard cash.
I think John Gregory has done a decent job there. He came in last year to keep the club up and succeeded in doing that. He's brought in his own players and there's hardly anyone from the Ian Holloway era who is still at the club. That is when you can start to judge a manager. Icons

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The Sun - Terry Venables on Managers & Chairmen:
"...But the dynamic between manager and owner is so important.
I was very lucky at QPR to have a fantastic chairman called Jim Gregory. When things were going well he stayed in the background taking satisfaction from the fact that his project was going well.
Then, in the tricky times, he was right there beside me supporting me. It is why we stayed friends until the day he died. The Sun

DANNY SHITTU is ready to push boss John Gregory a step closer to the sack.
Under-fire QPR manager Gregory could be out if he fails to deliver a win against Watford today.
Rangers have collected just two points and Gregory has failed to impress new owners Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore.
But Watford’s Shittu — who enjoyed four great years at Loftus Road — is not worried if his side put an end to Gregory’s 12-month spell in charge.
The defender declared: “I am not in this business to do anyone any favours.
“Rangers are having a tough time and the manager is in a difficult situation — but I am still a professional.
“If I score I will still be saluting the Rangers fans afterwards. I had some great times at QPR.” The Sun

Mirror - Q& A we put the questions to Michael Mancienne
"...Q Last time you lost your temper on the field?
It was against Russia when I was playing for England's Under-19s
Q Last time you had a really good laugh?
It was at the QPR Player of the Year awards do - it was a really funny night...
Q Last promising young player you saw?
Scott Sinclair (Chelsea). He has got pace & determination, so he will do really well...
Q Your targets for the rest of the season?
To play regular first-team football in the Premier League Mirror

QPR OFFICIAL SITE re Pat Kanyuka - TALKING WOUNDED
R's physio Paul Hunter has praised the attitude of defender Pat Kanyuka, who is currently sidelined with a thigh injury.
The 20 year-old tore his main thigh muscle off the bone during a pre-season training session and has since undergone an operation.
Hunter said: "Pat has done really well since his operation at the start of June.
"He has now started running and is already at a decent level. It's a big injury in any sport, especially in football, but his work-rate has been second to none and I cannot speak more highly of his attitude."
Hunter added: "He went to Lilleshall (a PFA sponsored rehab specialist unit) for a week, where they work you hard every day from 9am-5pm and I received a call from them saying how well he was doing.
"It was good for him to go there to get a change of environment, as much as anything else. When you are sidelined for a lengthy period of time, it can get very monotonous if you're going to the same gym, day after day."
Kanyuka is determined to bounce back from his latest injury and Hunter is backing him to do so, commenting: "Pat is really determined to get back to full fitness and push hard for a place in the first team.
"In two weeks' time he will have a review to check the strength in his thigh. That will give us a good indication of how long it will be before he returns. At this stage, it is too early to give a date, but if he carries on putting in the effort that he has so far, he'll be back in no time." QPR

Swindon Advertiser re Dominic Shimmin Trial at Swindon
"...QPR triallist Dominic Shimmin is another defender [Paul] Sturrock will have to make a decision on as he looks to maintain their solid look.
He said: "I have to make a deliberation over the next day on what I see in training. Once I see that I will make a decision on whether we need someone in with some experience.
"If I felt it is the other way, we will go with what we have got.
"I have got to make a decision on Dominic. I have to discuss it with John (Blackley). I thought he was very competent. Very much like Jerel in style and looks but we have to decide do we need more of a cover type of centre back with leadership qualities?

"He has a good future but two Jerels in one team could conflict each other." This is Swindon

Ian HOLLOWAY on his life- The Mirror
"...Holloway fears his managerial ambitions have been handicapped by his Bristolian accent, but it has not trimmed his determination to establish Plymouth. He is convinced his best chance of becoming a Premiership boss will be to lead Argyle there himself, and he says: "I'm still alive and kicking as a manager after 11 years, and this is a job that goes in cycles and fads like any other. Appointing a foreign manager is flavour of the month and, for many of us, there's no ladder to climb.
"The only way for an English club manager to test himself in the Premiership is by winning promotion there himself because, for whatever reason, we're not being head-hunted....
"I didn't play in the Premiership until I was 29, when I used to pick up a piano, carry it on stage and let Ray Wilkins play it at QPR.
"I know I'm a better manager now than when I started, but I'm nowhere near as good as I'm going to be by the time I'm finished. We all need a challenge, and I feel I'm on an exciting journey with Plymouth." The Mirror

PLYMOUTH HERALD - OLLIE CALLS FOR NEW HOME PARK PITCH
Ian Holloway has called for the pitch at Home Park to be dug up and replaced with a new one.....
Holloway said: "Our pitch is shot away. It needs to be firmer. When you get any rain on it it's absolutely hopeless.
"It won't last much longer. We need to rip off 12 inches of soil, get it out, compact it all down with the right drainage and put a brand new surface down."
Argyle spent £40,000 in the close season on a rain protection cover for the pitch but Holloway clearly believes that is not a long-term solution to the problem....
The Pilgrims played some flowing football when they beat Queens Park Rangers 2-0 on a superb playing surface at Loftus Road on Tuesday...Plymouth Herald

Watford's Marlon King Coumnn, The FA
"...We are playing QPR tomorrow - that's another hard game. Because they are near the bottom of the league, people think we will walk over them. It won't be like that and we will have to be professional. They need the points just as much as we do. It's a sell-out but we will be well supported as ever.
I've not been up to much this week - just travelling mainly. After the Southampton game on Sunday, we travelled to Cardiff on Tuesday and came back on Thursday. We trained today then play QPR tomorrow. FA

The Times - Aidy Boothroyd warns against Watford complacency
Aidy Boothroyd, the Watford manager, has warned against complacency as he prepares to take his table-topping side to struggling Queens Park Rangers.
Watford moved three points clear at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship with a 2-1 win at Cardiff City in midweek, their fifth victory in six league games so far this season.
QPR are second from bottom with only pointless Sheffield Wednesday beneath them and have yet to score a goal or earn a point at Loftus Road where they also crashed out of the Carling Cup to Leyton Orient.
In contrast, Watford have won two games on their travels although their sole defeat of the season happened away from Vicarage Road at Leicester.
A Watford win would appear to be clearly favoured but Boothroyd insists the Hertfordshire team face a difficult fixture. "These games are always the tough ones, the toughest ones really," he said. "I think that as a group of players we've got some very good footballers here now, a very good squad, we're strong.
"But when you're strong it's about finding the 'inner winner' to consistently perform at a high level no matter who he is playing against, to make sure he wins because that's what it is all about.
"If we can consistently win and the players can rise to each occasion to win then that's the mark of a successful team. QPR on Saturday will be a very, very difficult game, they'll be fighting and because it's a local derby anything can happen..." The Times

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Ian Holloway Column - BBC Column

THREE POINTS FROM LOFTUS ROAD
Yeah we needed a win because we had two home games in a row and hadn't won either of them - we haven't lost at home for 190 days but you need the win.
The boys have managed to regain their focus. There were all sorts of stories that David Norris was going to be sold and Dan Gosling was going to be sold and all this crap and I'm just glad that the window's shut.
We're now three points off the top of the league, two off second and we've dropped four points at home. Against Leicester we deserved all three points, against Cardiff we didn't.
It's all about stats and our stats the other day were better than QPR's. It was just nice for me to go back there and take the Green Army to Loftus Road because I've dealt with a lot of issues now the book's out. BBC

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Selby Times - Crocked QPR ace Walton on road to recovery

INJURED football star Simon Walton is on the comeback trail and hopes to return to action for his new club Queens Park Rangers by the end of November.
The 19-year-old Sherburn midfielder (right) suffered a broken leg in a pre-season friendly against Fulham in August just weeks after sealing his £200,000 move across London from Charlton Athletic.
Simon successfully underwent surgery to repair his fractured fibia and is due to have a protective cast removed this week so he can kick-start his rehabilitation.
"He's itching to get back out onto the field," said Simon's dad Steve. "There's no problem with the leg although the wound itself has taken a bit longer to heal, which set him back a bit.
"Hopefully Simon can get back to work in the swimming pool this week. He's already been working with the weights to keep up his fitness." Simon, who has been guaranteed a starting spot at Loftus Road, impressed in a handful of friendlies playing in a new holding midfield role before suffering the injury overstretching to intercept a pass.
Steve added: "It's extremely frustrating for Simon, but he's a strong character and never lets his head go down. It's a long road to recovery, but if all goes to plan, he should be back at some stage during November-"
See this week's Selby Times for full story. Selby Times

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QPR vs Watford. Watford currently top with 15 points from 6 games. QPR 23rd with 2 points from 5 games. Watford's squad and Watford's results QPR will be without Ben Sahar, because it's Yom Kippur.

QPR OFFICIAL SITE THE FRIDAY PREVIEW: WATFORD
Fancied by many to occupy one of the two automatic promotion places at the start of the campaign, the Hornets have made an impressive start to the new campaign after their demotion from the top-flight.
Aidy Boothroyd's side currently sit at the summit of the Coca Cola Championship, with five victories from their opening six fixtures.
Watford kick-started their campaign with a devastating last-gasp smash-and-grab raid at Molineux on the opening day.
Two goals in the final four minutes, from Jordan Stewart and hit-man Marlon King, gave Boothroyd's men the perfect pick-me-up after last season's horror show in the Premiership.
A comfortable Carling Cup victory against out-of-sorts Gillingham followed four days later, before Lee Williamson bagged his first goal for his new Club against highly-fancied Sheffield United to help Watford clinch back-to-back league triumphs.
But the Hornets were stung seven days later, when the Foxes of Leicester City ran riot at the Walkers Stadium. Boothroyd's side were second best in every department, as goals from Iain Hume, DJ Campbell, Alan Sheehan and Mark De Vries helped seal a maiden victory of the season for the Foxes.
A Carling Cup exit at the hands of League One Southend United followed shortly after, only for Watford to bounce back with a comfortable 2-0 victory against Ipswich Town.
Victory against Southampton last Sunday afternoon saw them return to the top of the division, thanks in part to a Darius Henderson double.
And the Hornets - inspired by that man Henderson again - made it three wins on the spin with a 2-1 win at Ninian Park on Wednesday... QPR

Watford Official Site AIDY AFTER 'INNER WINNERS' AT QPR
AIDY Boothroyd takes his side the short distance to Loftus Road at the weekend, looking for a remarkable sixth win in just seven starts.
After successive victories against Southampton and Cardiff City in the past week the Hornets' boss has targeted a hat-trick of wins that will keep his side top of the early Championship table.
But he isn't underestimating this weekend's opponents Queens Park Rangers despite their very difficult start to the season, which has left them lurking perilously close to the division's basement.
"These games are always the tough ones, the toughest ones really," said the effervescent Hornets' boss. "I think that as a group of players we've got some very good footballers here now, a very good squad, we're strong.
"But when you're strong it's about finding the 'inner winner' to consistently perform at a high level no matter who he is playing against, to make sure he wins because that's what it is all about.
"If we can consistently win and the players can rise to each occasion to win then that's the mark of a successful team.
"QPR on Saturday will be a very, very difficult game, they'll be fighting and because it's a local derby anything can happen."
Speaking from the lofty position of top spot in the league ladder Boothroyd is keen to stress that he'll be keeping feet firmly on the ground in the build up to the weekend date with the Hoops.
"We're top so far only and won't get complacent because we've actually picked up results when we might not have deserved them for our performances. Still, it's a nice habit to have.
"What would we have done different? Not a great deal to be honest which is testament to the players and staff and their ability to bounce back [from relegation] and get on with it and to respect the Championship.
"I'm pleased so far but I won't be getting carried away and I don't expect anybody else to either. The minute that they [the players] do then I'll come down on them.
"Yes we're top of the table and yes we've got 15 points but are we the end product? We are nowhere near it, we've got work to do, we've had our meetings and we know what we've got to do to get better."
Following Wednesday's positive result in Wales the team and staff stayed on an extra night in the principality before returning by coach late on Thursday afternoon. And in that time the manager was able to contemplate yet further on the slender 2-1 win at Ninian Park.
"We were fortunate to get the result and Cardiff will still feel aggrieved, but whatever league you are in you sometimes have to dig out results when you don't deserve them. In the end we managed to do that.
"We showed 'backs to the wall' defending and managed to nick the goals that won the game. It's not an easy place to go and nor will it be, I'm sure Cardiff will bounce back very quickly and we've got to be sure to learn the lessons and not brush things under the carpet just because we've won."
Inevitably the media's questioning ahead of this game turned to the form of Darius Henderson, the man-of-the-moment at Vicarage Road.
"He's a guy that has come on a very long way in a very short space of time and he's found another level this season following the arrival of Nathan Ellington, who I think is a fantastic player and very gifted footballer who, once he settles, will fly.
"Darius is the main man because he is getting the goals. He's worthy of his place and he's proved that. If he keeps scoring and helping the team out then he's got a good chance of staying in the side.
"He's taken a bit of rejection, he's come back and we've patched things up. What matters now is that he stays in the team, keeps getting the goals, keeps playing as well as he is doing and we keep getting the points on the board.
"We're in love again now, but it's definitely not about one man, it never is, it's a team effort, a squad effort and I only hope I'm here talking about how many goals we've got and where we are at the top in May."
Having taken the brave decision to omit the man he rates as 'the Championship's best player' in the shape of Marlon King, Boothroyd admits that he won't be afraid to further tinker with his squad this weekend.
"It's not my job to keep players happy, that's their job. The environment is such that you come in, work hard, learn and do what the job requires, whatever the individual job is. People deal with and are professional enough to get on if they are left out, luckily I've not just got good players I've got good characters and that's important in a long season.
"What the team is now won't necessarily be the team come February, March or April because you get suspensions and injuries. It's very often those guys that are not in the side today that get in the team and get the points that count at that time.
"At the minute we're getting the points with the guys that are in the side now and that's why everybody has got to be at it because if you're not, you'll be out of it." Watford

John Gregory - QPR Official Site - RESPONSE REQUIRED
R's gaffer John Gregory has called on his players to stand up and be counted this weekend.
Table-toppers Watford head to W12 on Saturday afternoon and the message is clear: "It's time to get tough."
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Gregory said: The same group of players that played on Tuesday evening have to be ready to perform this weekend.
"There's no hiding place - we can't hide.
"Tough times call for tough people and I've got to make sure I've got enough tough people in the dressing room to face Watford on Saturday."
Gregory could welcome Gareth Ainsworth back into his squad on Saturday afternoon, after the experienced midfielder returned to light training earlier in the week following his spell on the sidelines owing to a fractured leg.
Michael Mancienne (back) faces a race against time to face the Hornets, but Pat Kanyuka (thigh) and Simon Walton (fractured leg) are both ruled out, while Ben Sahar is unavailable. QPR
Guide to QPR
See also: Watford-Mad pre-match review

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Even though the club hasn't announced it on its website, QPR are actually one of 13 clubs (Accrington Stanley, Brentford, Burnley, Cardiff City, Coventry City, Huddersfield Town, Norwich City, Nottingham Forest, QPR, Southampton, Swansea City, Swindon Town and Wycombe Wanderers) taking part in Coca-Cola's "Talent from Trash" recycling Competition (first announced by the Football League/'Talent from Trash', September 5.)

Perhaps because many QPR fans are not aware of this competition (unlike the fans of the other clubs involved), QPR currently rank joint bottom in the recycling league! Current Ranking

Further details re /Trash Competition
Talent from Trash

"‘Talent from Trash’ is a recycling initiative to encourage you to recycle your household waste and in doing so earn money for your favourite participating Football League Club’s youth programme. Who said recycling was boring?
We want you to make a pledge every day to recycle more and we’ll reward you for your efforts. Together, you and your friends and family can raise up to £18,000 for youth development at your local participating Football League Club.
And it’s not just your team who’ll benefit. Each time you make a daily pledge, you are entered in to a free prize draw; the lucky winner will net their Club an extra £10,000 and win a personal reward of £5,000!
Plus! If you make more pledges for your Club than anyone else, you’ll score ‘a money can’t buy’ prize from your Club! Talent from Trash

See also: QPR Report: September 10: "QPR Taking Part in 'Talent from Trash'

QPR Report: September 5- QPR Join In Against Trash

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Obviously no longer a QPR player, but still QPR!
Kevin Gallen Turns 32 - Born September 21, 1975.
Gerry Francis gave Gallen his debut as an 18 year-old in the game at Manchester United (August 20, 1994). In his two periods at QPR, Gallen played 300+ games for QPR scoring nearly 100 goals. Gallen

See also:

Daves' Unofficial Queens Park Rangers Website for Gallen Profile - Kevin GallenC

See also Wikipedia/Gallen

(Brother of recently-dismissed, QPR coach, Joe Gallen)

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Walsall MAD interviews Rob Steiner

"....5) You joined Walsall on loan in what was a truly amazing season. ...
I had around 8 or 9 other offers, 3 from Scotland and 3 or 4 from teams in the same relegation zone as QPR ... i didn't like to play for a team that could get QPR relegated so I went to Walsall. ......

10) Were there ever any chances to join us permanently?...
We had some discussions during the summer but my aim was QPR, I had my best friend in London and that suited me well. ...

11) You joined QPR, was it a happy move before injury?
"I loved to sign for QPR, that was my main goal and after a few other clubs were ready to offer me a better contract, I had some problems to justify my own discussion. But money isn't everything.... Oldham Mad

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Ben Sahar not to play Saturday, which is Yom Kippur.

QPR Official Site - SAHAR UNAVAILABLE
Ben Sahar will not feature in the QPR squad this weekend.
Saturday marks the Day of Atonement in the Jewish calendar and the Israeli front-man will not be available for selection for the visit of high-flying Watford to Loftus Road QPR Official Site

KILBURN TIMES/BEN KOSKYBen Kosky/Kilburn Times - Cullip close to firing on all cylinders
DANNY Cullip is confident he will be back at full fitness by the time QPR face Watford at Loftus Road on Saturday.
The experienced central defender missed the majority of Rangers' first three league games due to a foot injury, but returned to the starting line-up at Leicester last weekend....
"It felt fantastic to get back, to get another game under my belt and hopefully I'll be up to speed by the end of this week," Cullip told the Times.
"It was pleasing to be part of a good team performance on Saturday. A clean sheet would have been nice, but I felt we were solid and Campy didn't have too many saves to make.
"In the last 15 minutes of both halves we looked really strong and they never opened us up or put us under pressure.
"That's not just about the back four, it's down to us defending from the front, and we need to keep doing that."
Cullip's commanding presence at the back, following his arrival from Nottingham Forest in January, was a key factor in QPR's survival last season.
But an injury in July, during a training ground friendly against Crawley Town, kept the centre-back out of the Rs' entire pre-season programme and the start of the new campaign.
Cullip, who celebrated his 31st birthday earlier this week, admitted: "I kept training with the injury when I should have left it alone. If I had left it, I probably wouldn't have missed the start of the season.
"It was a bit unlucky because I got kicked in the first 20 minutes of the first game back and the top of my right foot was severely bruised.
"But I had an injection last week and everything seems fine. One of the advantages of this league is that there are quite a few international breaks and it gives you a bit of extra time to recover without missing games."
Rs boss John Gregory was relieved to bring Cullip back into the side - not least because Michael Mancienne had been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
"It was good to have Danny back - he made a big difference to us. We had to be careful with him, but he showed he was ready," said Gregory.
Mancienne returned to his parent club, Chelsea, last week, for treatment on the back problem that compelled him to withdraw from the England under-21 squad earlier this month.
He remains doubtful for the Watford game this weekend, while fellow Chelsea loanee Ben Sahar will definitely miss the game as it clashes with the Jewish fast of Yom Kippur.

Ben Kosky Kilburn Times - Triumphant Ollie backs JG
IF anyone knows exactly how John Gregory is feeling right now, that man is Ian Holloway....
"QPR have got lots of things to be optimistic about. They've had a big takeover - it's onwards and upwards," declared Holloway after the game.
"I just feel for John - you don't want to have that sort of unsettling thing, just let him get on with it. John's got a proven track record - he was Aston Villa manager, for heaven's sake!"
The Plymouth boss added: "I thought we looked professional, we looked sharp. We looked like a team that believed they could win."
And, once Peter Halmosi had fired the Pilgrims ahead, that was precisely how Gregory's team did NOT look.
Drained, dejected and devoid of ideas would be a more accurate description - and it will certainly not have impressed QPR's new owners Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone, looking on from the directors' box as their new acquisition lost their fourth home match in a row.... Kilburn Times

Gareth Ainsworth - Kilburn Times Step on the Gaz
I'VE said before that a point away from home means nothing if you don't back it up by winning at home - and, unfortunately, that's the position we find ourselves in.
One point from two games is not good enough. We did create a few chances against Plymouth and, if that header from Danny Nardiello or the free-kick from Rowly hadn't hit the bar, it would have been a different story....
I put my head on the block by tipping Watford to win this division - but I haven't seen anything to change my mind.
Watford didn't change a lot when they were playing in the Premiership and they haven't changed a lot since they came down. They know this division and they've got a great crop of players - one of whom is a certain Danny Shittu.
It wouldn't be a lie to say that we sometimes still miss Danny's presence at the back. He was a massive player for us, literally, and a good friend as well.
When Danny was at QPR he was young, still learning, and I think his positional sense and distribution really came on during the year he was in the Premiership.
I'm sure he can expect a good reception from the QPR fans and I'd like to think he won't be too hurt if we win the game - we need the points just as much as they do!
It hurt to hear the fans booing on Tuesday - although I can understand it. We don't want to be in the bottom three any more than the fans do and it's important for us experienced pros to lift the rest of the team in time for Saturday's game. Kilburn Times

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One year ago today: September 20, 2006: John Gregory was appointed manager of QPR (with Gary Waddock initially being named Assistant Manager while Assistant manager, Alan McDonald was axed)

QPR Official Site, September 20, 2006: - GREGORY APPOINTED
John Gregory has been appointed as QPR First Team Manager with immediate effect.
Gary Waddock will now work under the former Aston Villa boss in an Assistant Manager's role.
In an exclusive interview with www.qpr.co.uk, Chairman Gianni Paladini revealed his delight at the appointment: "It's a fantastic scoop for the Club.
"John is a proven manager at the highest level and is very eager to get back in to the managerial game.
"He's sat down with Gary and talked everything through and the situation is perfect as we look to climb the Championship table.
"I'd like to wish the pair of them the very best in their new roles.''
Gregory - who has been out of the game since leaving Derby County in 2003 - commented: "I'm back in the hot-seat and it's a huge challenge.
"QPR are very close to my heart and it's a fantastic opportunity for me.
"This is a job I can very much get my teeth into and I'm relishing the challenge that lies ahead.
"Winning matches is what matters most in the business and we aim to do that, starting Saturday.''
Waddock said: "It's the right decision for the club, I'm just thankful that Gianni thinks enough of me to keep me here as Assistant Manager.
"I look forward to working with John, we both played together under Terry Venables and have the same work ethic.
"I'll learn a lot from him and I'm sure that this appointment will benefit the club I love."

QPR Official Site - MACCA DEPARTS
Alan McDonald has been given notice to terminate his employment at Queens Park Rangers Football Club.
After making 483 appearances for the Hoops in a successful 16-year spell as a player, McDonald joined the R's as Caretaker Assistant Manager in February 2006, prior to taking up the position of Assistant Manager towards the end of June.
Chairman Gianni Paladini told qpr.co.uk: "I'd like to thank Alan McDonald for all the hard work he's done here since February.
"He's been a great servant for this Club, both as a player and in his role as Assistant Manager, and I wish him all the best for the future.''

SKYSPORTS - Gregory happy to be back By Lewis Rutledge - Created on 20 Sep 2006
John Gregory has expressed his delight at returning to management with Queens Park Rangers.
Gregory has been away from football since being sacked by Derby in 2003, but QPR decided to bring him in following a disastrous start to the season.
Having played for QPR in the past Gregory admits he is pained to see the club bottom of The Championship, and he is determined to guide them clear of relegation.
He also explained that his history at the club had been a factor in his decision to return to Loftus Road.
"It feels very good," he told Sky Sports News. "I'm ready to come back to work.
"It (news of the appointment) kind of broke towards the end of the weekend. I spoke to the chairman and the board of directors and we sorted things out very quickly.
"You can start romancing about the past and what it was like during my time here.
"I was here for four-and-a-half seasons and we won almost every week. We had a tremendous success rate, so they were very happy times.
"So that did influence me but it wasn't the overriding issue.
"From a geography point of view it is ideal for me, and just knowing that there is an opportunity here to improve the team, to get us back up the table, and look for Championship safety."
Gregory's predecessor Gary Waddock, who played alongside the 51-year-old at QPR, is to remain at the club as assistant manager.
"It's been a tough time for Gary but he'll cope. He's a really strong personality and I want him to continue to be part of my staff," said Gregory.
"We'll work together and I hope the next time he sits in the big chair he'll be a lot more experienced and he'll have learned from his time in charge here."
Skysports


TEAMTALK - TEAMTALK Gregory warns of tough times ahead
John Gregory has warned QPR they face "a serious relegation threat" after succeeding Gary Waddock as manager at Loftus Road.
The former Aston Villa and Derby boss has signed a contract until the end of the season with Rangers, with the option of a one-year rolling contract to follow if he does well.
Gregory takes over with Rangers bottom of the Championship and out of the Carling Cup - and he urged the players to show more heart in the battles that lie ahead.
"There is a serious threat of relegation at this club," Gregory said. "I saw them knocked out of the Carling Cup at Port Vale last night.
"Some of the players turned up - but quite a few of them did not bother going.
"Every player will have a fresh chance to impress me, and that is what they are here to do.
"I still have lots of points to prove to myself - although not to anyone else. I hope I can improve the fortunes of the team."
Waddock was relieved of his duties after meeting Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini - a close friend of Gregory - after the 3-2 defeat at Vale Park.
During the reigns of Ian Holloway and Waddock, there was considerable speculation regarding how much influence Paladini exerted over team selection and transfer policy - but Gregory made it clear he would tolerate no such interference.
The 51-year-old continued: "The training ground is the one place where I do not want anyone to interfere with my work.
"That is my domain. Having success is about keeping good habits, working hard and getting things right.
"In terms of transfers, we will work with what we have, although there is the opportunity to make loan signings, which has been a blessing for Championship clubs."
Gregory's friendship with Paladini is likely to raise some eyebrows among Rangers fans, with whom the Italian former agent has never been wholly popular.
Backed by a consortium of Monte Carlo-based businessmen, Paladini took control from former chairman Bill Power in a boardroom coup in September 2005.
Rangers have suffered considerable financial problems in recent seasons and spent the 2001-02 season - before Paladini had become involved with the club - in administration, but Gregory was quick to defend Paladini and fellow director Antonio Caliendo.
He added: "I have known Gianni for some time, and, were it not for he and Antonio, the club might not be here today.
"Our results can dictate the direction of the financial side of things.
"If we can improve on the pitch, more supporters will start coming to watch us, and it will help everything." Teamtalk

BBC - September 20, 2006: Gregory appointed as new QPR boss
QPR have unveiled John Gregory as their new manager, with former boss Gary Waddock becoming first-team coach.
Former Aston Villa boss Gregory, 51, returns to management three-and-a-half years after leaving Derby.
Waddock replaced sacked Ian Holloway at the helm in February before getting the position full-time in the summer but has struggled since then.

Gregory, joining with QPR bottom of the Championship, said: "I'm back in the hot-seat and it's a huge challenge."

QPR have won just one league game this season and were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Port Vale on Tuesday evening.

This is a job I can very much get my teeth into and I'm relishing the challenge

John Gregory
But Gregory, a close friend of Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini and a former player at the club in the 1980s, is looking forward to a daunting task.

"QPR are very close to my heart and it's a fantastic opportunity for me," said Gregory, who reached the FA Cup final with QPR as a player in 1982.

"This is a job I can very much get my teeth into and I'm relishing the challenge that lies ahead.
"Winning matches is what matters most in the business and we aim to do that, starting Saturday.''
He also told BBC Sport: "It's a club I was associated with for four-and-a-half years of my playing career - probably the most successful of my football career.
"I won my England caps while playing for QPR - that kind of influenced to want to come here."
Paladini revealed his delight at Gregory's appointment, saying: "It's a fantastic scoop for the club.
"John is a proven manager at the highest level and is very eager to get back in to the managerial game.
"He's sat down with Gary and talked everything through and the situation is perfect as we look to climb the Championship table.
Waddock said: "It's the right decision for the club, I'm just thankful that Gianni thinks enough of me to keep me here as Assistant Manager.
I look forward to working with John, we both played together under Terry Venables and have the same work ethic
Gary Waddock
"I look forward to working with John, we both played together under Terry Venables and have the same work ethic.
"I'll learn a lot from him and I'm sure that this appointment will benefit the club I love."
Gregory began his managerial career at Portsmouth and he also had a spell at Plymouth.
He took over at Wycombe Wanderers in October 1996, where he helped the team avoid relegation and remained in charge for two years.
The former England midfielder took over at Villa in the 1997/98 season and during the four years under Gregory's management Villa never finished outside the top eight in the Premiership.
He has also managed Derby and has been out of management since leaving the Rams in March 2003. BBC

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BBC Gossip: "QPR will sack John Gregory if the team lose at the weekend. (Various) " BBC

UPDATE: Dave McIntyre/Ealing Gazette - Watford defeat could spell end for Gregory - Axe hovers over Rangers boss
John Gregory faces the sack if QPR lose to Watford on Saturday.
The Rangers boss is under pressure following a dismal start to the season, which has seen his side lose four consecutive home matches.
Incoming new owners Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore were considering the appointment of a new manager even before seeing Tuesday night’s 2-0 defeat to Plymouth.
The search for a possible replacement gathered pace after the game but Gregory will take charge for the Watford match, giving him a final chance to avoid the axe.
Meanwhile, defender Dominic Shimmin is training with Swindon with a view to joining the League One club on loan. Ealing Gazette

Mirror - Rangers give Gregory one final chance
John Gregory has one match to save his job - with Martin Allen waiting in the wings.
If QPR lose at home to Watford on Saturday the curtains will come down on the former Aston Villa boss's 12-month spell at Loftus Road.
Formula One magnates Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone will begin sifting through the avalanche of offers from agents since they took control.
The pair were expecting better results over the last three games but the Championship side crashed at home to Plymouth, managed by former Rangers boss Ian Holloway.
But instead the new owners left 10 minutes before the end as Rangers confirmed their worst start in 14 years. The duo are beginning to wonder whether Gregory is the man to lead their new £25million investment.
A Rangers source said: "I can't seem Gregory surviving if Rangers lose to Watford."
The popular choice to take charge is Allen, but former Fulham boss Micky Adams was in the directors' box for Tuesday's Argyle game - Mirror

The Sun - Football Stories
JOHN GREGORY will be sacked by QPR if they lose at home to Watford on Saturday.
A Rangers source said: “I can’t see him surviving if we lose.
“He brought in his own players but it’s not happening.” The Sun

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Tony Hazell Turns 60. Born September 19, 1947, Defender: Full back and Centerback, Tony Hazell played 350+ League games for QPR from the mid-1960s until he was sold in December 1974 to Millwall. He was of course, one of the 1967 League Cup Final Team. Made his debut in 1964 and was an integral part of the 1966/67 and 1967/68 promotion teams and 1968/1969 relegation team. Also the 1972/73 promotion team. As I recall, he was picked once for the England U-23 squad, but didn't play. Hazell
See Wikipedia/Tony Hazell

See Also: 1967 Team Photo and Individual Photo

For what it's worth: From the Guardian - November 2006
DID STAN BOWLES TAKE A POT SHOT AT THE FA CUP (2)?
Last week we delved into Stan Bowles's autobiography to discover that, apparently, he once booted a ball at the FA Cup trophy while it was being displayed pitchside at Sunderland during a game. But that's not the end of the story ...
Because reader Brian Halliday sent our article to a friend of his, one Gordon Jago MBE, the manager of QPR at the time of the incident, and who now resides in Dallas. Here's Gordon's view of the events: "The truth is that yes, the FA Cup was knocked off the table during the game against Sunderland, but not by Stan Bowles. It was Tony Hazell, the QPR defender.
"At some time during the game Tony cleared a ball and it knocked the cup flying. This incident really upset the home fans; so much so that the referee took both teams from the field to let tempers cool. The game was eventually restarted and we finished 3-0 winners. Stan had someone write a book for him and he tells the story about a bet and that he deliberately knocked the cup off the table. Fiction! I do not know if Tony or any of the other players have contacted Stan to correct him, but that story is typical of him and no doubt it helped to sell the book." Guardian

David Seaman: Also: ex-QPR and England (and Leeds...Peterbrough...Arsenal...) Goalkeeper David Seaman turns 44...Signed by QPR for 250,000 pounds from Birmingham in 1986, played for England while at QPR...Sold to Arsenal in 1990 for 1.3 million pounds. Seaman
See Also: Wikipedia/David Seaman

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Among those watching the game: Flavio Briatore, Bernie Ecclestone and Trevor Francis

Plymouth Official Site - OLLIE'S PRIDE
THERE was no doubting the pride felt by Ian Holloway as his current club overcame his former one at Loftus Road.
Second-half goals from Petér Halmosi and David Norris gave Argyle a thoroughly-deserved 2-0 win at the ground where Ollie was - still is, in some parts - a hero.
"It felt good," he said. "I knew it was going to be tough, but I really enjoyed it today.
"I walked in and savoured the place where I worked for ten years of my life, five as a player, five as a manager.
"Loads of memories come back, and I can go away now very proud of two things: once I was manager here, and to bring my new lot here and play as well as we did. Terrific.
"We had a couple of scares, which you will get in the Championship, but that's as good an away performance as I've seen from us."
Ollie recalled Halmosi, Ákos Buzsáky, and Lilian Nalis to his midfield after Saturday's 2-2 home draw with Cardiff, when Steve Thompson's late goal deprived the Pilgrims of all three points.
Ollie said: "I got our preparation right, coming up yesterday and letting the lads have a right chill-out.
"They were a little bit disappointed to let in such a late goal against Cardiff, but I wasn't. I felt we needed to learn from that - that you shouldn't panic on your clearances.
"I thought the confidence was back and we looked like team that believed we could win.
"All bar a few minutes, that would have been two victories, and I think Cardiff are a damn good side - they have got the riches of [Robbie] Fowler coming off the bench.
"I anticipated an exciting match tonight and it was certainly that, but I thought we looked professional, we looked sharp, and the people I put back in looked like they had had a rest.
"I rested them [on Saturday] because I knew we had three games in a week. I've got some very, very talented players here and my job is to get the best out of them."
The goal from Halmosi that broke the deadlock came when the Hungarian turned Zesh Rehman inside out and fired the ball in with his right foot.
"It just shows what talent he has got," said Ollie. "You need that top unlock a door. He feinted to hit it, and made a beautiful little turn, be fore he hit it - and that was with his bad foot.
"I am so proud how these boys play for Argyle, and some of them, if not all of them, are getting better and better.
"We just need to keep believing and keep the focus and I felt that was there tonight." Plymouth Official Site


Plymouth Herald HALMOSI ORCHESTRATES CLASSY WIN AT RANGERS
Hungarian international Peter Halmosi scored one goal and set up another as Argyle clinched their second away win in the Championship this season.
It was the Pilgrims' first league victory at Loftus Road in 58 years, and it was a convincing one at that after an impressive all-round performance. ....
Argyle manager Ian Holloway had been in ebullient mood before the game against his former club.
He caught up with several members of Rangers' behind-the-scenes staff and popped into the club shop, where his new autobiography was on sale.
Holloway's starting line-up showed three changes from the draw against Cardiff.
The alterations were all in midfield, as Hungarian internationals Halmosi and Buzsaky were both recalled, as well as Lilian Nalis....
Debt-ridden QPR have recently accepted a buy-out offer from Formula One tycoons Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone.
Briatore and Ecclestone were both guests of Rangers' chairman Gianni Paladini as they made their first visit to Loftus Road for the Championship clash against Argyle.
Also sat in the packed directors' box was Plymouth-born former QPR boss Trevor Francis
As usual in London, there was an excellent turn-out from the Green Army for the 8pm kick-off, but there were lots of empty seats around the rest of the stadium....
McCormick made a smart save from Sahar in stoppage time as Argyle inflicted a third successive home defeat on QPR, whose supporters booed loudly at the final whistle.
The Green Army, on the other hand, gave their players a rapturous reception after a hugely encouraging evening for Argyle. Plymouth Herald

Plymouth Herald - PILGRIMS ON THE UP AFTER QPR WIN - CHRIS ERRINGTON
Plymouth Argyle moved up to eighth position in the Championship with a 2-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road last night.It was a happy homecoming for Pilgrims' boss Ian Holloway, who was previously manager of the west London club for five years.
The defeat of QPR was Argyle's first win in five league games, since they beat Hull City 3-2 at the KC Stadium on the opening day of the season...
Holloway said: "It's a good day at the office for me, isn't? Obviously, there is a special feeling here for me and I really enjoyed the whole day.
"I felt we got our preparation right. We came up on the coach yesterday and let the lads have a right chill out.
"I anticipated an exciting match and it was definitely that.
"But I thought we looked professional and we looked sharp."
Halmosi was one of three players recalled by Holloway after the 2-2 draw at home to Cardiff City on Saturday.
Midfielders Akos Buzsaky and Lilian Nalis also returned to the starting line-up and both played important parts in the Pilgrims' first win at Loftus Road since 1949.
Holloway said: "The people I put back in have had a rest and that's as good an away performance as I have seen from my lot.
"The confidence was back. We looked like a team who believed we could win, rather than a team who thought we were going to let a goal in, as we did the other night (against Cardiff)."
Holloway admitted to a mixture of emotions after inflicting a third consecutive home defeat on QPR.
He said: "It's happiness and sadness, and all sorts of things. When you have been committed to a relationship it's hard when it breaks down. It really is.
"But I'm trying to forge a new relationship now and, hopefully, it will be an even better one for the people who are now my new family."
Halmosi, who was Argyle's club record signing this summer when he moved from Hungarian champions Debrecen for £400,000, revelled playing on the superb surface at Loftus Road.
Holloway said: "Give us a good pitch, and I believe we are a good team. If I remember rightly, that pitch cost us (QPR) £600,000. If we had one like that I think we could pass it all over the place."
Holloway revealed he had missed Argyle's second goal, scored by Norris in the 64th minute.
He said: "Unfortunately, I was in the toilet because I have had this problem (a kidney stone) and I need to drink so much water. I heard a cheer and I thought, 'that isn't big enough to be QPR'. I hear it was a real good move and I look forward to seeing it." Plymouth Herald

DAILY MIRROR - IT'S THE PITS FOR RANGERS - By Ann Gripper 19/09/2007
Formula One bosses Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore did not bother waiting for the chequered flag to head for the exits as Plymouth left QPR trailing in their slipstream.
The motor-racing millionaires have had a £30million takeover bid recommended to shareholders, but after seeing their new investment go 2-0 down against Plymouth they headed home with six minutes still to play.
Second-half strikes from Peter Halmosi and David Norris gave former QPR boss Ian Holloway a winning return to Loftus road but current QPR manager John Gregory insists he is not feeling the heat from the boardroom changes.
Gregory said: "Nothing daunts me. I've been through everything.
I'm very philosophical about life but I'm also a proud man. We just continue to work as hard as we can - nothing changes." Mirror

The Sun
QPR crashed and burned in front of Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone.
The Formula 1 tycoons are expected to complete their £30million takeover at Loftus Road in the next week.
But they are buying a club who are 23rd in the Championship and without a league win this season.
Boss John Gregory — whose position is uncertain — said: “I’m absolutely distraught.
“Plymouth produced a classic away performance and their finishing was clinical.”
Rangers were the better side early on but Daniel Nardiello and Stefan Moore wasted good chances.
Plymouth, managed by ex-Rangers boss Ian Holloway, were a different side after the break and Peter Halmosi stole the show.
First he received a through-ball from Barry Hayles after 40 minutes, cut inside Zesh Rehman and finished confidently from six yards.
The Hungarian winger then headed back across goal on 60 minutes for David Norris to blast in.
Argyle manager Holloway said: “That was as good an away performance as I’ve seen from my lot. It is a special feeling for me.
“QPR still mean a lot to me, but give us a good pitch and we can show we are a good team.” The Sun

Also: QPR Official Site Photos from the Game - Photos

See Also Earlier Reports and Comments re QPR vs Plymouth: Earlier Reports & Comments re QPR vs Plymouth

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FourFourTwo-Australia - Ward: My Battle For A Game - Richie Young
"Former A-League star Nick Ward has revealed he faces an uphill battle at Queens Park Rangers and may be forced to leave the club in January.
The highly-talented attacking midfielder joined the club on a two-year deal following the first Hyundai A-League season.
The Perth Glory pin-up Ward lit up the league in that season, subsequently winning the “Rising Star” award which is given to the most outstanding U-20 player.
But since former manager Gary Waddock left QPR, the 22-year-old has struggled to make the starting side and was briefly loaned out to Brighton and Hove Albion.
While keen to fight for a place at the London club, Ward may be forced to look elsewhere in his bid to secure first-team football.
“The last year was a tough one for me,” he told au.fourfourtwo.com.
“The manager that signed me got the sack and it was a bit of a shock to the system. A new manager came in and didn’t really speak to me a lot and sort of pushed me aside.
“I was never really out of the squad, I was always on the bench but it was a bit of a shock for me because I wasn’t used to that."
He added: "This year I got my head right again and I knuckled down and got fit and I’ve been performing really well in the pre-season games.
“I played one of the Cup games but it’s just a battle. If you’re not one of the manager’s signings it’s an uphill battle but I’ll just keep going and if it means I have to move in January then maybe I’ll move.”
Ward was a top performer for Australia’s U-23s in their recent Olympic qualifying match against Lebanon, scoring a fantastic volleyed-goal.
But while admitting he misses the A-League, Ward remains keen to pursue his career in Europe rather than return to Australia-. FourFourTwo-Australia

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Daily Mail - "...QPR move for Brazil defender
QPR are closing in on Brazil defender Ze Maria after a delay in his move to Sheffield United. Bramall Lane boss Bryan Robson was impressed with the 34-year-old after giving him a trial and wants Ze Maria to sign an incentive-laden contract. But QPR are in the hunt and hope to open talks today. Mail

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Updated League Table A crowd of just under 11,000 (2,000 supposedly away supporters which is pretty impressive)

GREGORY & HOLLOWAY COMMENTS - SPORTING LIFE
Gregory - future uncertain. - UNEASY GREGORY VOWS TO FIGHT ON
John Gregory shrugged off doubts over his future as QPR manager following the 2-0 home defeat to Plymouth.
Goals from Peter Halmosi and David Norris gave Argyle a resounding victory at Loftus Road and condemned Rangers to a fourth consecutive home defeat.
The result increases the pressure on Gregory ahead of a takeover by Formula One moguls Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, who were already believed to be considering the appointment a new manager before watching Rangers' latest dismal display.
But Gregory said: "I've been through everything in football and I'm very philosophical about life.
"We must carry on working as hard as we can. We just need to get a win."...
Gregory added: "I'm absolutely distraught about the results.
"There were lots of good things. We had a good first 45 minutes and I always feel that 0-0 at half-time is a decent scoreline.
"That always gives you a platform to build on and we are a notoriously good second-half team. But in this game we just didn't get going in the second half.
"Plymouth took the lead and you could see the confidence drain out of a few of our boys, who are finding things a little bit difficult at the moment.
"It was a classic away performance from Plymouth. They took their chances very well and that was the difference between the two teams."
IAN HOLLOWAY
Plymouth manager Ian Holloway expressed sympathy for Gregory, having been plagued by speculation about his future during his own spell as QPR boss.
"I feel for John," Holloway admitted.
"I was in that position myself and I'm glad things aren't being said about me and my future now. It must be a London thing because Martin Jol is getting the same as Tottenham.
"Just let John get on with the job - he's got a proven track record."
Returning to the club where he spent 10 years as a player and manager was an emotional experience for Holloway, who added: "When you're committed to a relationship and it breaks down it's very difficult.
"But I've got a new relationship now and it was a special feeling to come back here.
"That game could have gone either way. I anticipated an exciting match and it was definitely that.
"We look sharp and that's as good an away performance as I've seen from my lot.
"We looked like a team who believed they could win." Sporting Life


GREGORY's POST MATCH COMMENTS - QPR OFFICIAL SITE NO HIDING PLACE'
John Gregory pulled no punches after seeing his side slip to a 2-0 defeat against Plymouth Argyle at Loftus Road.
The R's gaffer was as honest as ever, commenting: "There's no place to hide.
"Goals win games and so do strikers and they took their chances and we didn't.
"We should have gone in to the break ahead, but we conceded early in the second half and from then on we were playing catch up.
"You could see the confidence draining from the players and they had their tails up and duly got a second."
Peter Halmosi and David Norris bagged Argyle's goals, but Gregory refused to fault his players' efforts, saying: "It was a poor outcome.
"The effort and enthusiasm was there, but the quality wasn't. I thought Danny Cullip was outstanding yet again, but overall it was a disappointing night."
Rangers were denied by a lick of paint in each half, but Gregory refused to blame bad luck for his sides' defeat.
"You make your own luck in this game and although we hit the bar twice, we need to take our chances," he said.
"There's no hiding place here and we didn't produce the goods yet again, in front of our own fans, and that's not good enough." QPR

WATCHED BY ECCLESTONE!
Daily Mail - Ecclestone sees Rangers struggle to get out of first gear
Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone made his first pit stop at Loftus Road last night following his purchase of relegationthreatened QPR.
Struggling Rangers sank to their third home league defeat of the season. But Ecclestone proved he has learned how to join football's prawn sandwich brigade.
After watching a poor first half from the directors' box, Ecclestone missed the start of the second half, only re-emerging seconds before Plymouth stole an unlikely lead on 49 minutes through Peter Halmosi's individual effort.
Rangers had created two good early chances, but Martin Rowlands had a shot saved by Luke McCormack and Daniel Nardiello hit the bar.
Plymouth had rarely threatened bar Halmosi's strike, but they grabbed a second just before the hour. Mail

SPORTING LIFE
Ian Holloway enjoyed a winning return to former club QPR and piled the pressure on Loftus Road counterpart John Gregory as Plymouth ran out 2-0 victors in the Coca-Cola Championship.
The Argyle boss - in charge of Rangers between 2001 and February last year - masterminded a win which could kickstart his side's season as Peter Halmosi and David Norris netted to leave the Hoops second bottom.
It was a tale of two halves for the home side who dominated the opening period but failed to convert the best of the early chances as Daniel Nardiello rattled the crossbar with a towering header.
Rangers were left to lament their profligacy as Halmosi broke the deadlock with a fine individual strike before Norris wrapped up the points with an assured finish 12 second-half minutes later.
Home manager Gregory opted to deploy a three-pronged strikeforce of Nardiello, Stefan Moore and Dexter Blackstock as his side looked to halt their winless start to the season, while powerhouse duo Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Barry Hayles led the line for Plymouth.
Rangers may have been struggling at the wrong end of the table prior to kick-off but they started positively enough as Adam Bolder tried his luck from 30 yards inside the opening 90 seconds, although he failed to trouble goalkeeper Luke McCormick.
McCormick was soon called into action, though, as he reacted quickly to parry Moore's rasping 12-yard drive three minutes later and the hosts went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock with 12 minutes played.
Zesh Rehman found himself with the time and space to pick out Nardiello with a looping centre and the one-time Manchester United striker glanced a 12-yard header which rebounded to safety off the crossbar.
Plymouth, themselves without a league win since beating Hull 3-2 on the opening day of the campaign, were reduced to taking pot-shots from distance as Akos Buzsaky dragged wide from 30 yards shortly afterwards before twice going close with 25-yard free-kicks.
The first half petered out but game did explode into life five minutes into the second period as Argyle took the lead through a stunning strike from Halmosi.
The Hungarian midfielder embarked on a mazy run after linking up well with Hayles and dispatched a high drive past the hapless Lee Camp from the edge of the penalty area to notch his first goal of the season.
Rangers looked visibly stunned by Halmosi's opener and were left reeling when Argyle doubled their lead just after the hour.
Ebanks-Blake headed the ball into the path of Norris and the highly-rated winger held his nerve to smash the ball home from 12 yards.
Camp denied Norris a second of the evening with a smart save four minutes from time as Argyle went in search of a third while at the other end Ben Sahar saw his late effort tipped around the post by the outstretched McCormick.

Sporting Life

PLYMOUTH OFFICIAL SITE
SECOND-HALF goals from Petér Halmosi and David Norris made sure that Ian Holloway's homecoming was a happy one, giving the Pilgrims a thoroughly deserved first Championship victory since the opening day of the season.
Argyle's wideboys netted early after the break in front of the hundreds of Pilgrims' fans who made sure the home supporters knew they value the man in charge of their fortunes as much as their hosts once did. Formula 1? Formula Ollie!
Holloway had whistled up three senior players for his return to Shepherd's Bush, all to a midfield in which David Norris remained the only constant.
Hungarian internationals Halmosi and Ákos Buzsáky, second-half substitutes in Saturday's 2-2 Sky high-to-low draw with Cardiff, joined compatriot Krisztián Timár in one of the most cosmopolitan of London Boroughs, while Lilian Nalis was recalled from the wildnerness to the ground where he was sent off last season.
Rangers' starting line-up showed just one change to the 11 that had paved the way to a 1-1 draw at Leicester City three days earlier.
Danny Nardiello, who had come on as a substitute to good effect at the Walkers Stadium, began in place of the man he had replaced at Leicester, on-loan Chelsea striker Ben Sahar, the Israeli international.
Nardiello's partner up front was a man familiar to Argyle supporters, England Under-21 international Dexter Blackstock, who spent a thoroughly successful loan spell at Home Park three seasons ago, scoring four goals in 14 games to help keep Bobby Williamson's Championship debutants in the second flight of English football.
The game started at a pace and was barely five minutes old before the two sides swapped chances.
Argyle's came first, after Barry Hayles had been bundled over just outside the penalty area. Halmosi took precise aim and curled the free-kick around the inside of the wall with his left foot.
The ball curled away and left Rangers' goalkeeper Lee Camp grasping at thin air before the spin took it wide of his post by no more than a yard.
Immediately, Nardiello was played through by Blackstock and, surprisingly, left Marcel Seip in his wake before unleashing a fierce shot. Luke McCormick had been alert to the situation, however, and his closing down of the shot made the save look easier than it was.
A game of attack and counter-attack ensued, with defences making sure goalkeepers were not needed to do anything other than mop up - except once, when a looping header from Nardiello plopped down from a height on to Luke McCormick's crossbar with the Argyle goalkeeper appearing to get a vital touch as the ball re-entered earth orbit.
Argyle strung together some sweet passes, taking control of the midfield with good periods of possession. When they got the ball wide, they looked dangerous, too, and Hayles was inches away from converting a cracking head-high right-wing cross from by Ebanks-Blake.
A driving run into the heart of the home defence from Halmosi ended with Rangers grateful to get the ball away from Norris for a corner which saw Buzsáky set up Hayles with a training-ground routine that saw the Argyle skipper show unbelievable technique to strike a low first-time shot from the edge of the penalty area.
The shot was blocked before Camp was required but the Hoops' 'keeper immediately got his chance to show his paces when Gary Sawyer let rip with a quality volley that had the former Derby County custodian scrambling to his left to save the shot.
Another free-kick, this time from Buzsáky and more central to goal, nearly broke the deadlock but, again, the ball curled agonisingly just the wrong side of the post. Camp did not move, which means he is either the coolest man in west London or he was never going to get anywhere near the ball.
The Pilgrims nearly undid all their solid work in the opening 45 minutes in first-half injury-time when Paul Connolly sold McCormick short with a backpass that Mikele Ligertwood seized upon, but the back line remained stiff in the sinews and disaster was averted.
Argyle maintained their momentum into the opening stages of the second half and the pressure that had built all through the first half finally told in the 49th minute when Halmosi cut inside Zesh Rehman with such adroitness that the Rangers' right-back slipped and had to watch from a prostate position as the Pilgrims' record signing planted a right-foot shot beyond Camp.
Going behind stirred Rangers into a state of liveliness they had not before suggested they possessed and they came within inches of levelling when Martin Rowlands clipped a Seip conceded free-kick against the crossbar. McCormick, it is fair to say from his statuesque response, did not have it covered.
The home side then introduced highly-rated West Ham striker Hogam Ephraim and Marcus Bignot but the new pair hardly had a moment to settle in before the Pilgrims extended their lead.
The provider was Connolly, who slung in a right-wing cross deep to the far post. Halmosi unselfishly headed it back into the danger zone, where Hayles, Ebanks-Blake and Norris converged on it. Any of them might have scored, but Norris won the race and smashed it home.
After that, it was up to Rangers to try to break down an Argyle side that spent the rest of the game largely going through the motions with some comfort.
Nardiello did eventually spring the Argyle's ad hoc offside trap but shot so high that several people in the crowd ricked their necks, and Argyle responded with a terrific shot from range by Buzsáky that slipped narrowly wide.
If proof was needed that it was indeed Ollie's night, then it came when Timár and Seip comically got in each other's way to leave Sahar, on as substitute, clear in on goal. International strikers should not spurn such ribbon-wrapped opportunities.

Queens Park Rangers (4-4-2): 1 Lee Camp; 28 Zesh Rehman (2 Marcus Bignot 59), 4 Danny Cullip, 5 Damion Stewart, 3 Chris Barker; 18 Stefan Moore (25 Hogan Ephraim 59), 7 Adam Bolder (capt), 32 Mikele Leigertwood, 14 Martin Rowlands; 8 Daniel Nardiello (17 Ben Sahar 83), 9 Dexter Blackstock. Substitutes (not used): 12 Jake Cole (gk), 21 John Curtis.

Argyle (4-4-2): 23 Luke McCormick; 2 Paul Connolly, 5 Krisztián Timár, 19 Marcel Seip, 18 Gary Sawyer; 7 David Norris, 4 Lilian Nalis, 8 Ákos Buzsáky, 16 Péter Halmosi; 9 Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, 10 Barry Hayles (capt, 17 Lee Hodges 90). Substitutes (not used): 1 Romain Larrieu (gk), 11 Nick Chadwick, 13 Mathias Kouo-Doumbe, 14 Rory Fallon.
Booked: Seip 56, Timár 70.
Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands).
Attendance: 10,850 (2,000 away est). Plymouth

QPR 0 Plymouth 2 QPR Official Site
Second half goals from Peter Halmosi and David Norris heaped more misery on the R's at Loftus Road.
The Hoops' winless streak in W12 extended to five matches, as Plymouth boss Ian Holloway guided his side to a memorable victory at his former stomping ground.
Halmosi opened the scoring four minutes into the second half, before Norris put the result beyond any doubt with a close-range strike on 62 minutes.
Earlier, Rangers came within a lick of paint of taking the lead in an even first half.
The recalled Danny Nardiello headed against the top of the crossbar, while Plymouth's best opening fell to Gary Sawyer, who saw his long range half-volley well held by Lee Camp.
After falling behind to Halmosi's strike, the R's were again denied by the woodwork courtesy of a Martin Rowlands free-kick, but it mattered little as Norris poached a second moments later.
John Gregory made a solitary change to the side that drew 1-1 at The Walkers Stadium four days earlier.
Nardiello replaced Ben Sahar in attack, with the Chelsea loanee dropping to the substitutes' bench.
There was no place in the 16 for another of the R's loan signings, Michael Mancienne, who was ruled out due to a back injury.
Argyle boss Holloway, on his second homecoming to W12, named an unchanged side, which meant in-form striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake led the line alongside Barry Hayles.
In an entertaining opening, Plymouth fired the first warning shot, when Halmosi's 20-yard free-kick flew inches wide of Camp's left hand post.
Play switched immediately to the other end, where Nardiello - having been teed up by strike partner Dexter Blackstock - took one touch to set before forcing Luke McCormick to smother.
Nardiello was the key to Rangers' fast start and after a free-flowing R's passing move ended with the ball falling at the feet of the roaming Zesh Rehman, his pin-point cross was headed onto the top of the crossbar by the Welsh international.
Sawyer's speculative 40-yard strike from a half-cleared Plymouth corner kick brought the best out of Camp, while at the other end, Rehman - after linking up effectively with Nardiello - was denied by a last ditch save by McCormick.
The lively Akos Buzsaky curled a 30-yard free-kick a yard or so wide in the 41st minute, before the same player tried his luck again on the stroke of half-time, only to find the upper tier of the loft.
Rangers almost bagged an unlikely breakthrough in the second minute of added time, only for Moore to be denied by the sprawling McCormick, after Plymouth failed to clear their lines from a routine clearance.
The second half was only four minutes old when Argyle grabbed the lead, albeit against the run of play.
Gifted time and space on the left hand side of the R's 18-yard box, Halmosi cut inside before smashing a fearsome strike past the exposed Camp.
Having seen the woodwork deny his side in the first half, Gregory was again wondering what might have been on 55 minutes.
Marcel Seip pulled Nardiello to ground and when Rowlands stepped up, his sublime 25-yard free-kick left McCormick flat-footed, only for the crossbar to thwart the R's set-piece expert.
Sensing his side required fresh legs in an attempt to get back into the game, Gregory made a double substitution just before the hour, introducing Marcus Bignot and Hogan Ephraim at the expense of Rehman and Stefan Moore.
But it was Argyle who bagged the all-important second goal just four minutes later, when Halmosi headed the ball back across the face of goal and Norris smashed the ball past Camp from eight-yards.
Nardiello - easily Rangers' most tricky customer on an otherwise disappointing evening - fired over from an acute angle on 74 minutes, but it was Plymouth and Buzsaky who went closest to adding a third, when his 30-yard pile-driver flew wide.
Second half substitute Sahar should have opened his R's account when he was allowed to coast through unmarked after hesitancy at the heart of the Argyle defence, but the Israeli blasted over from 15-yards.
Late pressure from the R's saw Blackstock head straight at McCormick and Sahar denied by the Argyle keeper, but the first home league goal of the campaign continued to evade Gregory's side, who slumped to a fourth straight home defeat.
QPR: Camp, Barker, Cullip, Stewart, Bolder, Nardiello (Sahar 81), Blackstock, Rowlands, Moore (Ephraim 58), Rehman (Bignot 58), Leigertwood.
Subs: Cole, Curtis.
Plymouth Argyle: McCormick, Connolly, Nalis, Timar, Norris, Buzsaky, Ebanks-Blake, Hayles (Hodges 90), Halmosi, Sawyer, Seip.
Subs: Larrieu, Chadwick, Doumbe, Fallon.
Scorers: Halmosi 49, Norris 62
Bookings: Siep 54, Timar 77
Referee: A M Marriner
Attendance: 10,850 QPR
Text Report

BBC
Peter Halmosi and David Norris scored to give Plymouth a first league win since the opening day of the season.
The pair struck early in the second half, Hungarian Halmosi rifling in from the edge of the box and Norris latching on to a Sylvain Ebanks-Blake header.
QPR had chances, notably early on when Luke McCormick denied Stefan Moore and Daniel Nardiello headed on to the bar.
John Gregory's side are mired at the wrong end of the table and McCormick also tipped a late Ben Sahar shot wide. BBC

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Rehman and Moore keep their places; Nardiello and Sahar switch. Nardiello starting. Sahar on the bench.
Live Text Commentary can be read - Text Commentary Live Text Commentary also from the BBC at BBC Text Commentary Also: Live League Table - League Table

QPR Official Site - TEAM NEWS

QPR: Camp, Barker, Cullip, Stewart, Bolder, Nardiello, Blackstock, Rowlands, Moore, Rehman, Leigertwood.
Subs: Cole, Bignot, Curtis, Sahar, Ephraim.

Plymouth Argyle: McCormick, Connolly, Nalis, Timar, Norris, Buzsaky, Ebanks-Blake, Hayles, Halmosi, Sawyer, Seip.
Subs: Larrieu, Chadwick, Doumbe, Fallon, Hodges.
QPR

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UPDATE: Shimmin played for Swindon reserves last night.

SWINDON ADVERTISER - Anzite on target in Town win - By Gareth Moorhouse
FRENCH triallist Franklin Anzite scored on his debut to give Town reserves a 1-0 win over rivals Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Ground.
The 21-year-old central midfielder struck with a header midway through the second half to help the Robins' second string to a second consecutive victory in Football Combination Wales & West Division.
Anzite, who has spent the last three seasons with French club AC Ajjaccio was one of two triallists on display last night, the other being 20-year-old QPR defender Dominic Shimmin.
Both enjoyed solid first outings in a Swindon shirt with boss Paul Sturrock watching from the stands.
Reserve team boss Dave Byrne gave his first impressions on the two Town new-boys.,,
"Dominic is a strong, quick central defender but there are still areas he needs to work on.
"He is also a dead-ringer for Jerel Ifil. Some of the supporters were asking why Jerel was playing.
"Where we go from here will be up to the gaffer. He will have another look at them and make a decision..." Swindon Advertiser

Swindon Official Site - Shimmin Gets Town Chance
Swindon Town have included QPR centreback Dominic Shimmin in their starting eleven at Bristol Rovers this evening.
The 20-year old has made just three senior appearances for The R's since making the move to Loftus Road from Arsenal in March 2005. The defender stands at 6'0 tall and will be assessed by the Town management during this evening's clash with Bristol Rovers.
Also making his first appearance in a Swindon shirt this evening will be Frenchman Franklin Anzite. The 21-year old central midfielder has spent the last three years with French club AC Ajjaccio before linking up with Swindon for training and he will be given a chance to impress this evening at the Memorial Stadium.
Youth Team Boss Dave Byrne will be in charge of tonight's team, with Paul Sturrock casting an eye over the encounter from the stands...."Swindon Official Site

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Plymouth Official Site - Ian Holloway: SECOND TIME LUCKY
Ian Holloway is looking forward to making only his second trip back to Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday night, eighteen months after being placed on gardening leave by the London club.
The Argyle boss admitted that he did not enjoy his first return to Loftus Road when a controversial goal and Lilian Nalis's dismissal helped Rangers secure a slightly fortunate 1-1 draw.
Ollie fell out with Rangers' chairman Gianni Palladini in February 2006 after being linked with the then-vacant Leicester City job.
Palladini reacted by placing Ollie on gardening leave - a move that ended up with the charismatic Bristolian becoming Argyle's new manager in June 2006.
"I didn't enjoy the first one, but I can't wait for this trip," said Ollie.
"This time I can assure you that I am not going to get too Whitney Houston, which is 'so emotional'.
"The hard thing about being a manager is that you suddenly lose your relationship. She won't speak to you and then it is as if she is telling all the neighbours.
"I was not allowed in the house. I was not allowed to talk about why I was not allowed in the house; otherwise I would not get any of the belongings or any money.
"Some things were said about me and the style of football I played that were not true. The fella who said those things is no longer at the club.
"I have written a book now and it is all out there, and on sale. I will be doing a signing in Shepherds Bush, which I will be delighted to do because my side of it is out there. It is all how I saw it."
Former Aston Villa manager John Gregory is now manager at QPR and Ollie is expecting a very difficult game.
He said: "John Gregory has now taken over and, for me, everything is done.
"They are improving all the time. John Gregory certainly knows what he is doing, so it going to be one formidable obstacle for us.
"We have got to go there and be at our best to get anything, but we can be, and we will be.
"I shall be out there nice and early, thanking some of the wonderful people who put up with me for five years.
"I am going to take my Green Army there and see if we can get an away win because, at the moment, they are difficult to come about at home.
"We are a different proposition away from home. We beat Hull and lost to Barnsley, but, let's be fair, some of the other games so far we could have got more points from and we are going to need to get them."
Ollie is expecting the home crowd to be in buoyant mood with Formula One bosses Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone poised to take over the reins at Loftus Road.
It is a richly deserved boost for the club after the tragic loss of 18-year-old striker Ray Jones in a car accident in August.
Ollie said: "This is a game I am really looking forward to. I hope there is an awful lot of optimism around. If their [Briatore and Ecclestone] take over goes through, they are going to be a big club again.
"We all looked on in horror at what they had to put up with the other week; me more than most because Ray [Jones] was a wonderful kid.
"I wish them all the very best, but not against us." Plymouth

Plymouth Herald - OLLIE RELISHING RETURN TO QPR Chris Errington
Manager Ian Holloway has insisted he can't wait to take Plymouth Argyle to play his former club, Queens Park Rangers, at Loftus Road tonight (8pm).It is now more than 14 months since Holloway took the helm at Home Park and the pain and hurt over his dismissal by QPR chairman Gianni Paladini has subsided - although it has not gone completely, as his new autobiography confirms.
Holloway returned to Loftus Road for the first time in February, when Argyle held on for a 1-1 draw after the dismissal of midfielder Lilian Nalis for two bookable offences.
It was an emotional occasion for Holloway, who waited until after the kick-off before taking his seat in the dug-out.
The 44-year-old did not enjoy the experience at all, but it will be totally different tonight as Argyle bid for their first win in five Championship matches.
"I can't wait, to be fair," said Holloway. "I'm really looking forward to it.
"This time I can assure you I'm not going to get too Whitney Houston. Remember her song? So Emotional.
"I shall be out there nice and early, thanking some of the wonderful people who put up with me for five years.
"As far as I'm concerned, I'm going to take my Green Army there with pride and see if we can get an away win, because they are difficult to come by at home at the moment."
QPR, who were rocked by the death of 18-year-old striker Ray Jones in a car accident last month, have not won any of their four games in the Championship this season.
Rangers are in 23rd position with only two points, but Holloway believes they will soon start to move up the table, especially if a proposed takeover by Formula One bosses Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone goes ahead.
Holloway said: "They are improving all the time. (Manager) John Gregory certainly knows what he's doing, so it's going to be one formidable obstacle for us.
"We have got to go there and be at our best to get anything, but I'm confident we will be."
Holloway told his players the starting line-up for the clash against QPR before they set off on their coach trip to London yesterday afternoon.
He would not reveal it to the media, but there are likely to be at least a couple of changes to the team from the 2-2 draw at home to Cardiff City on Saturday.
There could be a recall for 35-year-old Nalis, who was rested at the weekend.
And Holloway also had to consider whether to pick striker Barry Hayles, also 35, to play in his second game in four days.
Holloway said: "My players already know what the team is, which is good.
"It's about slicing up the pie and giving out the pieces, not necessarily to those who deserve it but to those who I need to do things."
He added: "Barry Hayles might not start all three, but we have only played one at the moment, so there we go."
Holloway was encouraged by Argyle's defence against Cardiff, even though they threw away a 2-0 lead, and wants his players to build on that tonight.
He said: "I think I'm slowly getting back the sort of focus we need and the sort of whole-hearted performances we need.
"When we lost at Barnsley, I felt we looked like: 'Aren't we great? We are going to win'. Well, that isn't Plymouth. I have to say that, and we dropped some points there. Where could we be now?"
The answer is that had Argyle won at Barnsley instead of losing 3-2, they would be fifth in the table instead of 18th.
Meanwhile, French defender Larrys Mabiala is close to returning to training after a knee injury.
Mabiala, 19, was hurt shortly after signing for Argyle on a season-long loan from Paris St Germain last month.
Holloway said: "He's getting better slowly. It has been disappointing for him but at least it has given him a chance to see what Plymouth is like and settle in.
"Luckily, I haven't got any injuries to (Paul) Connolly or anybody else. I don't know when he will start training, but it won't be long." Plymouth Herald

Plymouth Herald - SYLVAN KEEPS HIS FEET ON THE GROUND CHRIS ERRINGTON
Striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is brimming with confidence as Argyle prepare to take on Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road tonight.The 21-year-old netted twice in the Pilgrims' 2-2 draw against Cardiff City at Home Park on Saturday, taking his goal tally for the season to five.
That means Ebanks-Blake is the joint top scorer in the Championship with Burnley's Andy Gray....
It is illustrious company to be in, but Ebanks-Blake is keeping his feet firmly on the ground and wants to play his part in Argyle returning to winning ways against QPR.
The Pilgrims beat Hull City 3-2 at the KC Stadium in their Championship season-opener but, since then, have drawn three games - all at Home Park - and lost the other one, 3-2 at Barnsley.
Ebanks-Blake said: "I was pleased with the finishes (against Cardiff) but I was also pleased with the team performance.
"Maybe we were a bit guilty of taking our foot off the gas towards the end but if we keep playing like that I think we will start to win games sooner rather than later."
Argyle are 18th in the Championship going into the game against QPR, but they are only two points behind fifth-placed Charlton Athletic.
Ebanks-Blake said: "I think we have been a bit unlucky with the draws at home, but let's not forget we have had two wins here in the Carling Cup, so it's not doom and gloom.
"We have just got to keep focused and try to get another win tonight."
Argyle have only played twice away from home this season, following their victory over Hull with a 3-2 defeat by Barnsley at Oakwell.
Ebanks-Blake said: "We are going to QPR to win the game. We will be trying to get an early goal and press on from there."
Tonight's Championship clash sees former QPR boss Ian Holloway, now the Argyle manager, return to Loftus Road for the second time since leaving the west London club in 2006.
Ebanks-Blake said: "Although he (Holloway) won't say much about it, I think it's an important game for him and all his staff. It's a game we all want to win as well."...
"That's what we are looking towards and I'm confident we will do that with the way we are performing."
Argyle and QPR have developed a keen rivalry ever since the Pilgrims pipped Rangers to the Division Two (now League One) title in 2003/04.
Ebanks-Blake said: "We had a brief meeting yesterday morning and talked about their players, but a lot of the lads here know about QPR already from last season, and seasons before.
"We know what sort of job we have got to do there and it's not going to be easy. It's a tight ground where the fans are on top of you, and it's going to be a high-tempo game, but it's nothing we aren't used to."
While Ebanks-Blake has scored five goals this season, his regular strike partner Barry Hayles has netted only once.
But the Pilgrims' young hot-shot said: "Baz is a seasoned professional, he knows his job and he's good for all the players. He's an excellent captain." Plymouth Herald

Also: Plymouth Herald - RANGERS DESPERATE FOR VICTORY AT LOFTUS ROAD - CHRIS ERRINGTON . Plymouth Herald

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - TOUCH & GO
John Gregory is hopeful Michael Mancienne will return to his squad for the Championship fixture against Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday night.
Mancienne missed the trip to The Walkers Stadium on Saturday due to a back complaint, but the Chelsea loanee could be in line to return to the starting XI for the visit of Ian Holloway's men to W12.
"Michael has got a bit of a back problem which has restricted his mobility a little bit with his right hamstring,'' Gregory told www.qpr.co.uk.
"Because we're so close with Chelsea he's able to pop back to Cobham every now and now then and get some treatment, which he did last week.
"He saw their Club doctor and he had an injection to try and speed up the healing process in his back.
"We felt it was too much to risk him on Saturday, but he's got a good chance of being back in the squad on Tuesday night."
Gregory is still minus the services of long-term injury victims Simon Walton (fractured leg) and Pat Kanyuka (thigh), but Gareth Ainsworth has resumed light training and is nearing a first team return. QPR

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QPR official Site's updated "Potted History of QPR." It's interesting to read and remember (and to noted what's not included). Some might find this "potted history" a little "skewed" towards recent history and a little skimpy on QPR's greatest era the 1966-1976 decade! One sentence is enough to cover both QPR's 1975/76 'Championship' season and the following season's march through Europe!

QPR Official Site A POTTED HISTORY OF QPR (1882-2007) Posted on: Mon 10 Sep 2007. "Potted History of QPR"

The Early Days.......

1900-1920... ....

1921-1940... ....

1941-1960......

1961-1980...

In 1961/62 QPR scored 129 goals in 52 matches, including a record 111 in the Third Division. In 1963 Tony Ingham retirned after played 548 matches for QPR's first team.
In March 1965 Jim Gregory became Chairman of QPR. In 1965/66 QPR finished third in Division Three. Rodney Marsh signed from Fulham in 1966 for £15,000 and went on to score 134 goals in 242 appearances.
In 1966/67 QPR won Division Three with 67 points. In the same year they also became the first Third Division side to win the League Cup, beating West Bromwich Albion 3-2 at Wembley after being 2-0 down at half-time.
In 1967/68 QPR were promoted to the First Division for the first time by finished second in the table. In 1968/69 the South Africa Road Stand was completed. QPR were relegated after only one season in Division One with only 18 points. Alex Stock left the club, Tommy Docherty came and went in 28 days, and Les Allen took over.
On 7th February 1969 Roger Morgan became the first QPR player to be sold for a six-figure fee. Gordon Jago became the manager in January 1971 and on 8th March 1972 Rodney Marsh was sold to Manchester City for £200,000. On 8th September 1972 Stan Bowles became the first six-figure signing for QPR.
In 1972 the new Ellerslie Road Stand was built. In 1972/73 QPR finished second in Division Two and were promoted to the First Division once again. In 1973/74 QPR reached the Sixth Round of the Cup again, before losing to Leicester City before a record crowd for a Cup match at Loftus Road of 34,989.
On 27th April 35,353 people saw the League match against Leeds, which was a new record for Loftus Road. Dave Sexton became managed on 17th October 1974. In 1975/76 QPR were Division One Runners-up - one point behind Liverpool and the following season reached the UEFA Cup Quarter Finals at their first attempt.
In July 1977 Frank Sibley became manager resigning a year later when rangers avoided relegation by a point. Alec Stock became manager until Steve Burtenshaw took over in August. Phil Parkes was sold to West Ham for £565,000 - a world record for a goalkeeper at the time - having played 406 games for the club. QPR ended the season in 20th place, and were relegated to the Second Division.
Steve Burtenshaw left the club after only one season, and was replaced by Tommy Docherty from Derby County in May 1979. Tony Currie was bought from Leeds United for a record club fee of £390,000. 19 year old Clive Allen was sold to Arsenal for a fee of £1,000,000 - the first teenager to merit the million pound price.

1981-2000...
In the 1980/81 season the new School End double-decker stand was built, and Terry Venables was appointed manager on 14th October 1980. In 1981/82 QPR became the first League club to replace grass with an artificial playing surface and Rangers reached the FA Cup Final against Tottenham Hotspur. The game went to a replay after a 1-1 draw, with Terry Fenwick's headed equaliser cancelling out Glenn Hoddle's opener. It was Hoddle again who scored the only goal, from the penalty spot, in the replay.
In 1982/83 Terry Venables took QPR back in to the First Division again, and Rangers lost only two of their home League matches. In 1983/84 QPR completed building their fourth and last stand and thus had seating on all four sides of the ground.
QPR finished fifth in their first season back in Division One and in 1984/85 Terry Venables left to join Barcelona. Alan Mullery had a brief spell in charge with Frank Sibley becoming caretaker manager for the remainder of the season.
QPR again qualified for the UEFA Cup and went through to the Second Round where they lost on aggregate to Partizan Belgrade. All seemed well after a 6-2 first leg victory. Yet Rangers conspired to lose the second legt 4-0 and go out on the away goals rule.
In July 1985 Jim Smith became QPR's new manager and the following season QPR were defeated finalists in the Milk Cup competition at Wembley, losing 3-0 to Oxford United.
In May 1987, Jim Gregory ended his record 22-year Chairmanship of QPR and became Life President. David Bulstrode became Chairman of the club. In 1987/88 QPR finished fifth in the First Division, having for some months been top of the table. In April the artificial playing surface was removed after seven seasons, and was replaced by natural grass.
In September 1988 David Bulstrode tragically died and later that month Richard Thompson was appointed Chairman of QPR, becoming the youngest in the Football League. Following in his predecessor's footsteps, over £2.5 million was spent on new players. In December 1988 Jim Smith left to join Newcastle United and Peter Shreeve was appointed caretaker manager with Trevor Francis subsequently being appointed player/manager on 14th December.
In November 1989 Trevor Francis left to be replaced by Don Howe as Head Coach. The club reached the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup, losing to Liverpool. It was a hectic season in the transfer market, with many players leaving Loftus Road. The major signings were Kenny Sansom, David Bardsley and Roy Wegerle (the club's first £1 million player).
In October 1990 Jan Stejskal, the Czechoslovakian international goalkeeper, was signed from Sparta Prague for £625,000 to replace David Seaman, who had been sold to Arsenal for £1.3 million during the close season. Club Captain Paul Parker returned from the World Cup Finals as an England regular.
Bobby Gould joined the club for a brief period between December 1990 and February 1991 before leaving to become manager of West Bromwich Albion. Don Howe left the club in May 1991 to be replaced by former player Gerry Francis.
Prior to the 1991/92 season kicking off, QPR received £1.75 million from Manchester United for England defender Paul Parker. Later that season a further £1 million saw Ray Wegerle depart for Blackburn Rovers.
The most outstanding performance of the season came on New Year's Day 1992 when, in front of 38,554 spectators at Old Trafford, and a live television audience, QPR thrashed Manchester United 4-1, with Dennis Bailey hitting a hat-trick.
QPR finished 11th in the League, thus ensuring their place in the new FA Premier League for the next season. In 1992/93 Rangers finished fifth in their first season in the new Premier League. Les Ferdinand hit 20 League goals and was called up to the England squad along with David Bardsley.
England International Andy Sinton left for Sheffield Wednesday on the eve of the 1993/94 season for £2.75 million. Rangers quickly spent £750,000 on winger Trevor Sinclair and £650,000 on defender Steve Yates. After four and a half years with the club, Ray Wilkins joined Crystal Palace on a free transfer. However, he returned to Loftus Road in November 1994 when Gerry Francis left, later to become manager of Tottenham Hotspur.
Ray proved to be a very popular choice as Player/Manager and a series of good all-round displays revived QPR's season, including two memorable 3-1 victories over Arsenal. They finished in the top ten for the fourth consecutive season.
During the close season striker Les Ferdinand was sold to Newcastle United for a club record £6,000,000 with £570,000 of the fee going to his former club, Hayes. The loss of England striker Les Ferdinand provied crucial in 1995/96 as Rangers always struggled at the wrong end of the Premiership table.
Despite paying over £1million each for Simon Osborn, Australian International Ned Zelic, and Mark Hateley, Rangers lost their fight to stay in the Premier League.
In May 1996 the Thompson family announced their intention to sell the club and three months later media tycoon Chris Wright, a Rangers fan for some twenty years, bought the club and also announced his plans for Wasps Rugby Union Club to share the Loftus Road ground.
Chris Wright later floated the newly formed Loftus Road plc, incorporating both QPR and Wasps, on the Alternative Investment Market. In September 1996 Ray Wilkins left the club by mutual consent and was replaced shortly afterwards by ex-Arsenal Caretaker/Manager Stewart Houston. Former Arsenal Manager Bruce Rioch was installed as Assistant Manager.
Stewart Houston's first purchase for Rangers smashed the club's previous transfer record - Scottish International striker John Spencer joined the club from Chelsea for £2.35M in November 1996. He was joined in December by his ex-Chelsea team mate and former Rangers player Gavin Peacock.
Northern Ireland International Steve Morrow also joined from Arsenal. Rangers poor home form during the 1996/97 season cost them dearly at the end and they finished ninth, five points outside the play-off places.
1997/98 was even more of a disappointment despite the arrival of £2.1 million striker Mike Sheron, with the club only avoiding relegation on the final day of the season. Houston and Rioch were sacked mid-campaign to be replaced by Ray Harford, but he was unable to halt a slide that so nearly ended in relegation to Division Two.
1998/99 also ended with Rangers needing a result on the last day and once again they stayed up, this time courtesy of a final day victory over Crystal Palace, albeit by the overwhelming margin of six goals to nil.
Six months previously Harford had resigned to be replaced by Rangers legend Gerry Francis as Director of Football and once Francis had ensured Rangers' survival in Division One, he marched them back up the table in 1999/2000, with Stuart Wardley top scoring in an impressive campaign.

The New Millennium...
Rangers finished 9th and looked set for a promotion challenge in 2000/01. Sadly though, it wasn't to be. A dreadful season ended in relegation, despite the introduction of Ian Holloway as first team manager, and coincided with the club entering financial administration as harsh financial realities began to bite.
The following season began with no fewer than 16 players released, and a scratch squad built up from practically nothing by Holloway. It is to his enormous credit therefore that Rangers enjoyed a top half finish when many predicted another relegation.
Rangers came out of administration and Chris Wright left the club to be replaced as Chairman by Nick Blackburn. The club embarked on the 2002/03 season with optimism. Once again Holloway wheeled and dealed and led the Superhoops to the play-offs thanks to an impressive team ethic and the goals of Kevin Gallen and Paul Furlong.
It was Furlong who scored the winning goal on a dramatic night at Loftus Road to take the Rs to Cardiff for the Play-Off final courtesy of a two-legged victory over Oldham in the semi-final.
But the fairy tale ended at the Millennium Stadium when Andy Campbell's goal late in extra time took Cardiff City up to Division One and condemned Rangers to another in year in the third tier of English football.
Nevertheless, 12 months later the agonies would be forgotten when Rangers secured automatic promotion.
Martin Rowlands, Gareth Ainsworth, Jamie Cureton, Tony Thorpe, Richard Edghill, Arthur Gnohere and Richard Johnson all joined the club and each contributed to the team's success.
The Superhoops lost only seven games all season, the lowest in the Football League - but too many draws took Rangers' fate to the final day.
They needed to win at Hillsborough and did so - triumphing 3-1 to secure second place in Division Two behind champions Plymouth.
With that triumph fresh in their minds, consolidation was the key in the Hoops' first season back in the Championship.
Four free contract signings coupled with the same number of departures ensured the squad remained fresh, but Rangers found the going tough early on, failing to win any of their opening four matches, until they eventually broke their duck courtesy of Marcus Bean's winner at Gillingham.
Thereafter, seven wins on the bounce, including a morale boosting 1-0 victory against West Ham, saw Holloway's rejuvenated side gatecrash the top half and that's where they remained for the rest of the season, eventually finishing in a creditable 11th place.
Paul Furlong again impressed, scoring 18 goals in all competitions, as well as bagging the Player's Player and Supporters' Player of the Year, plus the coveted Goal of the Season crown.
Hope sprang eternal at the start of 2005/06 and with the addition of a number of new players, including Rangers old--boy Richard Langley and the highly rated Stefan Moore from Aston Villa, the R's looked well equipped to mount a charge for the play-offs.
But after a positive start - which saw the Hoops top the table after three games - the season soon turned sour and Holloway was placed on gardening leave at the end of January.
Gary Waddock took the reigns as Caretaker Manager and immediately stamped his own unique style on proceedings.
But a spate of injuries and poor fortune, coupled with a few questionable refereeing decisions, saw all Waddock's best laid plans backfire and the Hoops finished the season just one place and eight points above the drop-zone.
As a result, Waddock was forced to make some tough decisions at the start of May and duly released half a dozen players, while also placing nine others - including established first team regulars Marcus Bignot, Steve Lomas and Marc Bircham - on the transfer list.
Unfortunately, the changes in personnel, coupled with the arrival of six new signings, failed to have the desired effect, as Rangers registered just six points from a possible 24 at the start of the 2006/07 Coca Cola Championship campaign.
An embarassing Carling Cup exit at the hands of League One outfit Port Vale proved to be the final straw for the Rangers board, as Waddock was demoted to assistant manager, with R's cult hero John Gregory replacing him in the Loftus Road hot-seat.
Gregory wasted little time in stamping his authority on proceedings, making further changes to the first team personnel, and introducing coach Richard Hill and Sports Performance Coach Joe Dunbar to the Club.
Gregory's impact was immediate, as the R's eased to a 2-0 home victory against Hull City in his first match in charge, before grinding out a memorable 2-1 victory versus Southampton seven days later.
Waddock made way as his assistant manager soon after, as the R's - buoyed by the double loan capture of Chelsea starlets Jimmy Smith and Michael Mancienne - moved five points clear of the relegation zone with victory against London rivals Crystal Palace at the start of November.
Further additions followed in January 2007, when Gregory swooped to add experienced duo Adam Bolder and Danny Cullip to his squad.
Derby County goalkeeper Lee Camp came back on loan too and his arrival, coupled with the fine goalscoring form of top-scorer Dexter Blackstock, saw Rangers secure their Championship status with a 1-0 home victory against Cardiff City two weeks before the final day of the season.
Gregory wielded the axe soon after though, letting eight players go, including fans favourites' Marc Bircham, Kevin Gallen and Paul Furlong.

A new era

On Saturday 1st September 2007, Queens Park Rangers Football Club announced that Formula 1 magnates Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone had made a recommended offer for the Club.
Mr Gianni Paladini remains as Chairman of QPR and Mr Flavio Briatore, Mr Bruno Michel and Mr Alejandro Agag were invited to join the Board.
Briatore said: "Bernie and I were delighted to receive a recommendation from the Board of QPR for our bid for the Club and we look forward to working alongside Gianni Paladini and his team.
"We are fully aware of the history of QPR and the loyal fan base that it has; we are therefore totally committed to bringing future success back to the Club.
"Gianni, Bernie and I are all determined to see the Club return to the Premiership as soon as possible." QPR

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Update: Add Danny Cullip to the list of September 17 birthdays!

Birthdays Today: Mauro Milanese...Mike Fillery...Coach Billy Bonds

Danny Cullip: Born September 17, 1976 - Signed last season on a free from Nottingham Forest. Cullip/Wikipedia

Mauro Milanese Turns 36 - Born September 17, 1971 - Milanese See Also: Milanese/Wikipedia

Mike Fillery - Turns 47 - Born September 17, 1960
Signed by Terry Venables from Chelsea in August 1983 (after QPR failed to sign Glen Hoddle and Ray Wilkins), Fillery stayed for 4 years before joining Portsmouth on a free in July 1987. Fillery See Also: Fillery/Wikipedia

Also Former Coach, and West Ham Midfielder, Billy Bonds, Turns 61. Was coach under Ray Wilkins. When Wilkins departed, Bonds resigned.
Bonds Also See: Bonds/Wikipedia

Mike Fillery on His Time at Chelsea and QPR
The Times, March 10, 2007 - Fillery still ready to work his ticket for cause closest to his heart Andy Lines -Almost 25 years ago to the day, in an FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur, a young Chelsea midfield player scored one of the best goals seen at Stamford Bridge. A minute before half-time — against a team including Glenn Hoddle, Osvaldo Ardiles and Garth Crooks — Mike Fillery smashed a 25-yard free kick past Ray Clemence, the England goalkeeper.

Chelsea, who were languishing near the foot of the old second division at the time, had gone a goal up thanks to Fillery. But the lead did not last long against their London rivals, who were riding high in the top division, and Tottenham ran out 3-2 winners before going on to lift the Cup.

For Fillery, now 46, it was the highlight of his Chelsea career. Tomorrow, he will be back at Stamford Bridge, having paid for his ticket just to be part of the game. Now working as a £23,000-a-year school maintenance man, he looks back fondly on the match. “We won the free kick just outside the box,” Fillery said. “I normally took the free kicks, but Clive Walker was hovering around. He was a bit of a glory-hunter when it came to the big games. But I just said, ‘I’m having this’.

“I hit it and it went in — past Ray Clemence. It was just before half-time and we walked off 1-0 up and the atmosphere was just amazing, unbelievable. Any Chelsea supporter I meet always says, ‘Remember that goal you scored against Totten-ham?’ It’s nice to be remembered for something like that.”

With his silky midfield skills and powerful long-range shooting, he was voted player of the year by Chelsea fans that year and when he looks at the list now and sees his name alongside those of subsequent winners such as Gianfranco Zola, Frank Lampard and John Terry, he feels nothing but pride.

Fillery was such a talented prospect as a teenager that, according to him, Bertie Mee, the Arsenal manager at the time, tried to “bribe” his father to make him sign for the North London club. Later, Terry Venables signed him for Queens Park Rangers, building his side around the midfield player.

“I never wanted to leave Chelsea,” Fillery said. “But I went with Terry Venables. Chelsea wanted me out because they could get some money for me. They offered me a £25 rise. I was earning £275 a week at the time — a bit different from now. “But it turned out to be a good move. I played in Europe. But my happiest memories were at Chelsea. When I was younger, Arsenal tried to sign me. Bertie Mee tried to bribe my father. He took my father aside and offered him a few quid — it was quite a lot of money in those times, but to be fair to my dad, he didn’t take it.”

Now a grandfather, Fillery cannot wait for tomorrow’s match and is hoping that he will see a free kick by Lampard to rival his own from 25 years ago. “This time I think Chelsea will win,” he said.

Fillery recalls playing alongside Ron “Chopper” Harris against Leyton Orient in the old second division. “He used to be my minder in the middle of the park,” he said. “That day, Orient had a big centre half called Bill Roffey. I nutmegged him and he said, ‘I’m going to f***ing do you — I’m going to break your leg’.

“Ron turned to me and just said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll sort him. In the 83rd minute, in a 50-50 tackle, Ronnie smashed his nose to pieces and they stretchered him off. Ronnie came running back to the halfway line, looked at me and said, ‘I told you I’d get him, Mick’.”

Highs and lows

— Mike Fillery, a midfield player, suffered relegation from the top flight in his first seasons with Chelsea (1978-79) and Portsmouth (1987-88)

— He scored the first league goal of the 1980s, for Chelsea away to Luton Town on January 1, 1980

— He scored in 6-0 wins for Chelsea over Newcastle United and for Queens Park Rangers over Stoke City

— After leaving Portsmouth in 1990, aged 30, he managed only seven more league appearances, for Oldham Athletic, Millwall and Torquay United (the last two on loan)

— He played for England schoolboys and England youth League appearances (and goals): Chelsea 161 (32); QPR 97 (9); Portsmouth 67 (6); Oldham 2 (0); Millwall 1 (0), Torquay United 4 (0) The Times

BILLY BONDS Friday, April 06, 2007
Billy Bonds on Nigel Quashie as a QPR Youth Player
Kevin Beattie and Billy Bonds - The Independent/Brien Viner Interview
"... Bonds. "When I joined the coaching staff at West Ham, my first job that summer was painting the dressing room. Imagine Mourinho doing that." A collective snort. "I went to QPR as youth team coach and Nigel Quashie was there. Good player, he was. At 16 years old he had everything, the kid. But he was spoilt rotten. I said, 'I want this boy cleaning boots, painting toilets'. They said, 'No, we can't have Nigel doing that.' And I'll tell you what, it's the one thing that's held the kid back, not learning discipline, character, at 16." Independent

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Mirror Leicester 1-1 QPR By DAVE LEWIS 17/09/2007
MIKELE Leigertwood was dubbed 'legs-of-wood' by unappreciative Sheffield United fans last season.
But the QPR midfielder showed feet of finesse to save a point for John Gregory's men. His 25-yard missile eight minutes from time robbed new Leicester boss Gary Megson of a debut win.
With Formula One heavyweights Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore now at the wheel, big money will soon be made available to help Rangers move away from trouble.
Leigertwood, signed from Sheffield United for £900,000 last month, said: "I've never hit one better. I played a one-two with Martin Rowland and just decided to have a crack.
"We've met the new owners a few times and they are enthusiastic about turning the club around and getting us back in the Premiership - it's the reason I'm here.
"They put up the money to finance my deal which obviously says a lot..."
." Mirror

Guardian - Andrew Rogers - Megson draws a little comfort at hard-to-please Leicester
Gary Megson tomorrow has the perfect opportunity to eradicate any doubts his latest club's supporters might harbour over his suitability for the job when his inherited Leicester City team replay the abandoned Carling Cup tie at Nottingham Forest, the side he "mutually agreed" to leave 19 months ago.
Megson's opportunity to develop his philosophy with the Leicester players was limited to a get-together on Friday, but he will have been encouraged by Saturday's performances of DJ Campbell and Carl Cort, who proved to be handfuls, as well as the guile and steel of the captain Stephen Clemence, who capped a fine performance by hitting the bar late in the game.

"When I left West Brom [in October 2004] a high-profile manager advised me to take a break," said Megson, who intends to try to borrow players who might be available for full transfer in the January window. "I didn't do that and consequently my last job didn't go brilliantly."
His success or failure in the loan market during the next few weeks could also determine how long he survives in overall charge before the City owner Milan Mandaric, an avowed fan of the merits of employing a director of football, imposes one on him at the Walkers Stadium.

Leicester fans are still puzzled as to how Megson's predecessor, Martin Allen, failed to see eye to eye with Mandaric's vision after three league games, the last of them a 4-1 thrashing of Watford, but some will take comfort from the new man's two promotion campaigns with West Bromwich.
"I've only spent five minutes with him but he seems all right," said Iain Hume, Leicester's goalscorer. "I know his track record. He had a rough time at Forest, I believe, so he will be coming here to put it right. He just said to us, 'Go out and play your game' and we gave one of our best performances of the season. He was right, we have forgotten the habit of winning."
Leicester dominated from the first whistle but failed to get through due to a mixture of poor finishing and smart work from the Rangers goalkeeper Lee Camp, the deadlock only being broken when Damion Stewart was adjudged to have brought down Campbell and Hume thumped in the penalty.
Ben Sahar did hit a post with Rangers' only serious chance of the first half but they were then fortunate to see a header from Cort header ruled out for offside midway through the second period.
Leigertwood then tried his luck from 25 yards and scored, his first since getting one for Palace in 2005. The midfielder's £900,000 arrival from Sheffield United after the takeover by F1's Falvio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone represents a change in policy for a club who have struggled since losing Premiership status in 1996, and hopes are high they have turned a corner. "The new owners put up the money to finance my deal, which obviously says they want to push on," Leigertwood said. "We are looking to get back to the Prem."
Man of the match Stephen Clemence (Leicester City)
Attendance: 21,893
Corners: Leicester 5 QPR 4
Goal Attempts: Leicester 12 QPR 8
On Target: Leicester 7 QPR 6 Guardian

Also: Telegraph Match ReportTelegraph Match Report

Also Match Reports:

Clive Whittingham/QPR Rivals Match Report

Simon Skinner/QPRNet Match Report

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The Times - Crazy Gang? I can’t really say that they ever made me laugh

In extracts from Ollie, his autobiography, Ian Holloway recalls the torment of his time as a player with Wimbledon and the quite bizarre nature of his exit as QPR manager

....Holloway became manager of Queens Park Rangers in 2001. Two years later, Clarke Carlisle, the defender, was struggling with alcohol addiction and had gone Awol. In a post-match press conference Holloway deflected the situation with humour and forged a reputation as one of the sport’s most quotable managers.
I went upstairs, still in a bit of a mood [after a poor second-half performance during a victory over Chesterfield] to talk to the press. The first ten questions were about Clarke Carlisle and why he had been dropped, so I said it was an internal matter and I wouldn’t answer questions.
I managed to bat them all off without getting angry and then one bloke said: “You must have been delighted with that – what a fantastic performance.” So, typical me, moving off without checking my rear-view mirrors, I start waffling on about a bird in a taxi, not dreaming in a million years it would result in changing my life and how the majority of football fans viewed me.
I said that I was pleased with the result but not the performance, so I thought about how I could get the point across in a sentence and came out with: “It’s like when you meet a bird who’s not the best looking. You talk, things go well and she gets in a taxi with you, get her back home and lovely jubbly, let’s have coffee.” They were all sniggering and I thought: “Hang on, what’s going on?” I had said it before to my lads, but because I was talking about a high-profile club and comparing it to a night on the pull, they couldn’t believe it.
The next day I got a call from Clarke Carlisle at 7pm on the Sunday evening and I said: “Where the hell have you been?”
He said: “Ollie, can I come and see you?”
I told him to come and see me at my house and I wrote everything down we spoke of because it was a very serious club matter. The lad needed help and because he had asked for it, I believed we could help him. What the “let’s have coffee” quote had done was defuse a difficult situation and shifted the spotlight away from him at a difficult time.
I knew the press would be calling me mad old Ian Holloway again, but the real reason I had said what I had was to help a player who needed it. Tim Lovejoy, the Soccer AM presenter at the time, must have been intrigued by the quote and he invited me on to the show, the first of many memorable visits, but I didn’t expect it to cause such interest and I didn’t mean it to be derogatory to any young women because I thought they would do the same thing. If they go out and all the best ones have gone, I think they, too, might go: “OK, let’s have another look at him.”
A few people called me mad after that, which is unfair, and that’s something I wasn’t overly happy with. I’m not. I just use humour in my life.
And my thinking is, if you can’t laugh at yourself, what sort of person are you? I don’t laugh at people, I laugh with them and if that involves me, so what? I think that cuts through an awful lot of problems.

Holloway took QPR into the Coca-Cola Championship but soon relations between him and Gianni Paladini, the front-man of a consortium that had bought the club, became strained. Paladini gave permission for Holloway to talk to Leicester City, although he did not want the job. Worried because he was having treatment for skin cancer, Holloway feared that he was being forced out as he prepared for a game against Leeds United in February 2006. He was called into the Leeds manager’s office to hear some surprising news.
As I walked into Elland Road, Sam Ellis, the Leeds No 2 looked at me as if he had seen a ghost. He said: “Ollie, I didn’t expect to see you here.” I laughed and said that the Leicester thing was all rubbish: “No, not because of that. Come in here a minute.” I walked into the office of Kevin Blackwell [the Leeds manager] with Sam.
Kevin arrived a moment later and said: “Ollie, I didn’t think I’d see you today. Listen to this.” He put his mobile phone on loud speaker and played a message. It went: “Hello, Kevin, it’s Ken Bates [the Leeds chairman]. Just talking to Paladini upstairs. He said he’s sacked Holloway and they’ve got [Phil] Barnes in goal [on loan] from Sheffield United.” As far as I’m aware, Ken Bates knew something only me, Neil Warnock [the Sheffield United manager], his secretary, my secretary and Gianni knew. I’ve no beef with Ken Bates because he was doing what any chairman would do if he felt it benefited his club and was merely passing on information that his manager might have been able to use. Kevin was only doing what I believe he would hope I’d do for him if I was in a similar situation – which, of course, I would because it was the right thing to do. Talk about undermining me before a game.
I did the team talk and made a few changes - in fact, it was more like Queens Park Strangers than Queen Park Rangers and although we did reasonably well, we lost 2-0."
" Ollie by Ian Holloway is published by Green Umbrella at £16.99. For more details go to ollieontour.co.uk. Copies can be ordered for £15.29 with free delivery from The Times BooksFirst on 0870 160 8080 The Times

See Also: "Ex-QPR's Ian Holloway's Autobiography Set for Publication"

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On this day, Thirty Five Years ago...Stan Bowles became an instant QPR Hero...

Bowles made his debut at home to (pre-Brian Clough's) Nottingham Forest, September 16, 1972, two or three days after signing from Carlisle for a club-record 110,000 pounds. Bowles, wearing from that very first game, HIS #10 shirt. Within an hour, he had made the first goal for Don Givens...and scored the second...as Gordon Jago's QPR won 3-0 (Andy McCulloch getting the third). And QPR, of course, went on to promotion.
QPR's team that day.
Parkes
Clement Evans Hazell Watson
Venables Francis Busby
Givens Bowles Mcculloch
Sub: Salvage

From Bowles' autobiography "Stan The Man"
"I was 23 years old when I joined Queens Park Rangers in September 1972, for a then club record fee of 112,000 pounds...
"Rodney had made the No. 10 shirt his own, and, since he moved, no one wanted to tough the thing....The shirt thing didn't seem a big deal to me. I hadn't really heard of Rodney Marsh. So I just shrugged and said: "If no one wants it, I'll wear it."...
"...[A]s luck would have it, I scored one and made another for Don Givens in my first game - against Nottingham Forest on September 16th, 1972. We won 3-0, and the fans seemed to take to my style of play; which, to them, was a bit like Rodney's"(Stan The Man, page 33)

Seven Years later, Bowles finally left QPR - ironically for Nottingham Forest (by then managed by Brian Clough).

See Also: QPR Report: Bowles Joins QPR

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On September 13, the QPR fansite WeAreTheRangersBoys conducted and published a lengthy interview with QPR Chairman Gianni Paladini. During the interview, Paladini made some comments about Kevin Gallen. In response, Gallen made a statement which he requested be posted, September 14, on another fan site: The Independent Rs Forum.
[Both statements reposted with permission]

GIANNI PALADINI on KEVIN GALLEN - (From the WE ARE THE RANGERS BOYS Interview)

(Q) Why did joe Gallen get the sack after good work with the Youth Team?
(Answer) Nothing to do with me, I stand by all my managers and it was JG's decision...[Concerning]Gary Waddock...I admired what he done at reserve level and felt it was good to give him his chance, he would have done a lot better if he had got the help from senior players like Gallen and Bircham."

(Q) How do you feel when ex-players like Ferdinand and Gallen say this club would be better without you?
A: .... In regards to Gallen (included Bircham as well) I had a big argument with them after the home defeat against Wolves. They played c.rap. I told them they were thinking more about shopping at Harrods instead of playing football. I never reply to negative comments from those players anymore. I remember they would laugh and joke after we got beat and I didn't like that. But, i am learning myself, I dont' reply to them now..."Full Paladini Interview

RESPONSE FROM KEVIN GALLEN - (Posted on Indys Rs Site)

"I have asked Paul Finney to put the following message up on the Indy R's Website:- "I was shocked and upset in hearing that the Chairman gave an interview recently stating that I was laughing after we had lost a game.
Can I just say I am a life long fan of Queen's Park Rangers and always will be.
I will never forget how lucky I was to wear that shirt.
I just want the fans to know the truth and that is that I have never joked or laughed as a player or fan when the R’s have lost.
I would never disrespect the fans or Queen's Park Rangers FC by doing so.
Also,I had the honour of not only playing for my Club but also the honour of being the captain as well.
I have no wish to enter in a war of words with the Club Chairman but I just wanted the fans to know the truth that is all.
Kevin Gallen. IndyRs

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AC Milan Official Site - September 15, 2007
"On the eve of Siena-Milan, here are the most relevant themes handled by coach Carlo Ancelotti at the press conference held at Milanello:"
"... - Costacurta and England: "Costacurta told me: that would be great! It will be up to him to make that decision (he was asked by Flavio Briatore to come and coach Queens Park Rangers). I try to push him away, there is too much competition at Milan, also because the next coach will surely be someone with a Rossoneri past, so you can understand: Costacurta, Tassotti, Filippo Galli, Evani, Eranio, Baresi... the list is very long." AC Milan

The site, "The Offside" comment/report re Costacurta:
"There have been a lot of small stories in the Italian media over the past few days about Milan legend Billy Costacurta and his wife using the international break for a trip to London....
"...No matter what happens, though, any sort of move is probably several months off at this point — no specific terms have been discussed, and it’s believed that, even if he accepts the gig now, Costacurta wouldn’t take over until the new year" The Offside "Costacurta to QPR Bench?

See Also: Earlier posts/reports re Costacurta and QPR

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League Table
P GD Points
1 Bristol City 5 5 11
2 Coventry 5 2 10

3 West Brom 5 6 9
4 Watford 4 1 9
5 Charlton 5 1 8
6 Blackpool 5 1 8

7 Stoke 5 1 8
8 Sheff Utd 5 1 7
9 Cardiff 5 1 7
10 Burnley 4 0 7
11 Scunthorpe 5 0 7
12 Wolverhampton 5 0 7
13 Norwich 5 0 7
14 Barnsley 5 -2 7
15 Ipswich 5 -2 7
16 Colchester 5 2 6
17 Leicester 5 2 6
18 Plymouth 5 0 6
19 Southampton 4 0 6
20 Hull 5 -1 5
21 Crystal Palace 5 0 4

22 Preston 5 -5 4
23 QPR 4 -5 2
24 Sheff Wed 5 -8 0
BBC


People - MEGSON MUGGED - Dave Lewis
Gary Megson strapped himself into the Leicester City ejector seat yesterday - and it looks like being a bumpy ride.
A stuttering and ineffectual performance against struggling Queens Park Rangers wasn't the entrance Megson wanted to make.
Because when you are on the pay roll of Milan Mandaric, football's most impatient and impulsive chairman, there can be no bad days at the office.
He thought he'd got off to a winning start, though, striker Iain Hume's 62nd-minute penalty a soothing balm to the senses of a team and a manager very much on trial.
It came after Damion Stewart had felled DJ Campbell. But the anxieties surfaced again when a bullet from Mikele Leigertwood rescued a late point for Rangers.
Leicester's fourth boss in seven traumatic months said: "In terms of work-rate and effort, we were excellent for most of the game - but we were also naive at times and that cost us.
"There are some things that will have to change, because they didn't have to do much to cause us problems. We need a lot more method and a bit more organisation."
Megson knows that life under Mandaric offers the long-term survival prospects of a jet pilot without any landing gear.
But when you've been out of the game for 19 months, the natural reluctance to take reckless risks is over-ridden by the desire to pick up a pay cheque again.
"Every manager is judged on results and you accept that. I've been away longer than I wanted. It's been frustrating - and it's good to be back," Megson insisted.
With his last job at Nottingham Forest ending in their dropping into League One, he will be hoping to outlast his Foxes predecessors, the last of whom, Martin Allen, was axed after just four games.
The man who took West Bromwich Albion to the Premiership in 2002 and 2004 has his work cut out.
For much of the match winless QPR, buoyed by the arrival of Formula 1 heavyweights and financial saviours Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone, were too quick for a Foxes side struggling to come to grips with the demands of yet another managerial change.
Leicester should have taken the lead just before the end of a turgid first half when DJ Campbell rounded keeper Lee Camp only to see his shot cleared off the line. Two minutes earlier, Rangers could have cracked the stalemate - but Israeli striker Ben Sahar's header hit the post.
They were bailed out in the end by an 83rd-minute belter from £900,000 summer signing Leigertwood, who unleashed the most improbable of strikes - a 30-yard guided missile which left Martin Fulop helpless.
Arelieved QPR boss John Gregory said: "He doesn't score many, but that one was a superb strike.
"After they took the lead a few heads dropped but we dug in and fought hard to get something out of the game. In the end, Leicester were happy to hear the final whistle."
He was right. Fulop pulled off critical late stops to deny substitute Daniel Nardiello and then Dexter Blackstock before Stephen Clemence clipped the Rangers bar.
Leicester: Fulop 6 - N'Gotty 5, Kisnorbo 6, McAuley 5, Sheehan 6 - Porter 6 (Kishishev, 78mins), Clemence 6, *WESOLOWSKI 8, Campbell 6 (Chambers, 73mins) - Cort 5 (De Vries, 90mins), Hume 6.
Qpr: Camp 6 - Rehman 5, Cullip 6, Stewart 6, Barker 5 - Rowlands 5, *LEIGERTWOOD 7, Bolder 6 (Ephraim, 71mins), Moore 6 - Sahar 6 (Nardiello, 45mins, 5), Blackstock 6. Ref: L Mason 7. People

The Sunday Times September 16, 2007
Iain Hume makes his point Leicester 1 QPR 1 John Percy at Walkers stadium
GARY MEGSON is acutely aware that victories are the only currency required to appease suspicious supporters and Mikele Leigertwood’s excellent equaliser prevented the new Leicester manager from making an immediate impact.
Megson’s appointment has divided opinion at the Walkers stadium after his misdemeanour of managing bitter enemies Nottingham Forest but an encouraging performance, particularly early in the second half, gave him the perfect platform to silence the doubters.
But he was deprived of the victory required to build bridges by Leigertwood’s fierce drive eight minutes from time, cancelling out Iain Hume’s 63rd-minute spotkick.
It has been an excruciating 19 months for Megson. He had been working unpaid as a coach at Stoke City before impressing Mandaric enough in three interviews to convince the Leicester chairman that the Walkers stadium was the place to end his painful exile.
It is an appointment that has not been shared with as much enthusiasm as it has by the new manager. Megson’s crime is to have managed local rivals Nottingham Forest, with Leicester supporters also distrustful as the club were relegated to League One during his reign. Megson felt compelled before the kick-off to appeal for togetherness via a microphone, with a few audible catcalls.
However, it was a bright opening by the side he has inherited from Martin Allen. Carl Cort has condemned Rangers to many defeats almost single-handedly over the years and he came close to extending his hoodoo with a fierce 20-yard drive that flashed wide. DJ Campbell had the ball in the net on the quarter hour but it was rendered irrelevant after a push on Lee Camp, the Rangers goalkeeper.
But Rangers came close to taking the lead in the first half on two occasions, first when Gareth McAuley diverted Martin Rowlands’ 18-yard free kick away from the bottom corner with his toe. And five minutes before the break Ben Sahar flicked Rowlands’ set-piece against the outside of the post.
John Gregory, the Rangers manager, is just as desperate for a win. Leicester were much improved in the second half, with the visitors needing Camp to produce an excellent save from James Wesolowski. And they got the goal they deserved just after the hour when Damion Stewart needlessly scythed down Campbell in the box, with Hume dispatching the penalty. But, inexplicably, they then dropped off the pace and Leigertwood stunned the home side with a ferocious 25-yard finish out of nothing.
Star man: Kisnorbo (Leicester)
Player ratings. Leicester: Fulop 6; N’Gotty 6, Kisnorbo 8, McAuley 8, Sheehan 7; Clemence 8, Wesolowski 7, Porter 6 (Kishishev 79min), Hume 6; Campbell 7 (Chambers 73min), Cort 6 (De Vries 90)
QPR: Camp 7; Stewart 5, Barker 6, Cullip 7, Rehman 6; Bolder 5 (Ephraim 72min 6), Leigertwood 7, Rowlands 6, Moore 6; Blackstock 7, Sahar 5 (Nardiello ht) Sunday Times

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH - Mikele Leigertwood spoils Gary Megson's day
By Nick Alexander, Sunday Telegraph
A stunning late equaliser from QPR's Mikele Leigertwood ruined Gary Megson's first match in charge at the Walkers Stadium.
Football fans' forumadvertisementLeicester's fifth manger in the last 18 months was not due to take over first-team duties until Tuesday's replayed Carling Cup tie at Nottingham Forest. However, he seemed eager to take his place in the technical area.
Despite almost exclusive control of the ball, Leicester had few clear-cut chances in the opening exchanges. What they did create stemmed either from the mazy running Levi Porter, their diminutive left midfielder, or the quick feet of D J Campbell, a £2.1 million legacy from Martin Allen's brief reign.
Campbell started up front alongside Carl Cort, and the partnership showed early promise when, on 10 minutes, he slipped a reverse pass through to Cort on the edge of the area, only for the big striker to shoot over the bar.
John Gregory, the QPR manager, must be longing for the January window, when the club's prospective new owners, the Formula One duo of Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone, have promised to strengthen the squad. The London side looked as if they were still suffering the effects of a traumatic fortnight following the tragic death of teenage striker Ray Jones. Ben Sahar's flicked header which hit a post, from Martin Rownan's free-kick late in the first half, was totally against the run of play.
Danny Cullip was twice forced to make crucial interventions to prevent Campbell from scoring just before the break, the second a clearance from off the line after the former Birmingham striker had rounded Lee Camp.
The goal Leicester deserved arrived after 63 minutes, from the penalty spot, after Campbell had his legs clipped in the area. Iain Hume stepped up to send Camp the wrong way. Leicester almost doubled their lead two minutes later, when Bruno N'Gotty's cross found Cort at the far post. His header into the net sparked jubilation quickly extinguished by the sight of the linesman's flag.
That decision was to prove costly as, with eight minutes left, Leigertwood collected the ball 30 yards from goal and unleashed a right-foot shot that flew into the bottom right-hand corner. The goal sparked a late resurgence from the visitors and Daniel Nardiello should really have added insult to injury but could only shoot straight at Martin Fulop.
That said, Stephen Clemence nearly scored a winner for Leicester in injury time, but his 20-yard shot clipped the top of the bar. Telegraph


DAILY MAIL - Livewire Leigertwood fails to spoil Megson’s return
LEICESTER 1 QPR 1 - By BOB TEMPLETON
A 30-yard wonder strike by QPR midfielder Mikele Leigertwood prevented Gary Megson from starting his tenure as Leicester's new boss with a win.
Leicester, leading through Iain Hume's 63rd-minute penalty,were pegged back by Leigertwood's 82nd-minute equaliser.
But it still did not keep the grin off the face of Megson, who had been out of the game since parting company with Nottingham Forest more than a year ago. He admitted: "It was frustrating to be out of the game for such a long time."
Leicester went ahead with Hume's spot-kick after DJ Campbell had been brought down by Damion Stewart.
Leigertwood scored after playing a one-two with Martin Rowlands and curling a 30-yard shot past keeper Marton Fulop. QPR boss John Gregory said: "Mikele doesn't score many goals and that one was well received." Mail

See Also: Earlier Reports & Post-Match Comments of Leicester 1 QPR 1 - Earlier Reports and comments

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Three Ex-QPR birthdays: Dave McCreery, Paul Barron and Leon Knight.

Midfielder, Dave Mcreery turns 50 (born September 16, 1957). McCreery was one of the first signings made by Tommy Docherty back in 1979. Signed from Manchester United, basically as a replacement for Gerry Francis as QPR tried for promotion. At the time, it looked like a great signing. Mcreery starred for Docherty but Terry Venables, after replacing Docherty sold him. See Also McCreery/Wikipedia

Paul Barron turns 54 (born September 16, 1953) was signed as a backup goalie in 1985/86. See Barron/Wikpedia

Leon Knight turns 25. Knight had a brief loan spell at QPR...A couple of seasons later, Ian Holloway tried to sign him, but he preferred to stay with Brighton. See Knight/Wikipedia

SEPTEMBER 16, 1996: STUART HOUSTON Takes Over at QPR

According to QPRNet's dates, Houston lasted at QPR from September 16th 1996 till November 10, 1997. QPRnet. Not the greatest of successes at QPR. Signed Hohn Spencer, Steve Morrow, Lee Harper, Matt Rose, Gavin Peacock and Mike Sheron. In his first season, almost made the playoffs...Among the momentous games, the 0-4 comeback at Port Vale.

See Also: - League Managers Profile - Stuart Houston

Wikipedia Profile of Houston - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stewart_Houston

One Year Ago: Gary Waddock's last League Game in Charge.
September 16 2006: The 1-2 loss at Colchester.
Waddock was actually axed after the Cup loss at Port Vale, but reportedly the decision to axe/appoint John Gregory was made after this game. Initially it was announced that Waddock was dropping down to Assistant Manager, but within weeks, Waddock had left QPR. (Assistant Coach and ex-QPR captain, Alan McDonald was also out after the Colchester game).
The team for Waddock's last league game: Cole, Rose, Stewart, Rehman, Milanese, Baidoo (Donnelly 79), Ward, Bircham, Cook, Nygaard, Ray Jones (Czerkas 45).
Subs Not Used: Bignot, Bailey, Kanyuka.

Waddock's managerial record at QPR: 3 wins in 22 league games. One win in his final 19 games.
2005/2006: Played 14 - 2 Wins, 5 Draws 7 Losses
2006/2007: Played 8 - 1 Win, 3 Draws, 3 Losses

Waddock's post-match comments, QPR Official Site
Gary Waddock didn't mince his words and called on his men to show pride and passion.
Rangers found themselves 2-0 down at half time and pulled a goal back thanks to a Colchester own goal, and Waddock was not a happy man.
Harking back to his days as a player, the Rangers manager asked his men to take a good look at themselves in the mirror tonight.
"I don't know where to start, where was the pride? Where was the passion?
"I wasn't the best player, but in mine and Alan McDonald's day we knew what it meant to wear the shirt.
"I'm getting sick of coming out here and talking about good football, and I'm sure the fans are as well. I'd rather play the sort of football that wins games.
"All I know is, we're bottom of the table and I don't like it one bit.
"We didn't improve in the second half in my opinion; we were bad from start to finish.
"We had injuries and that's not what this performance was down to. All that proves to me is that those who filled in didn't do enough to nail down a spot.
"Myself and Alan McDonald both said the same thing to the players after the game, they need to take a long, hard look at themselves." QPR

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Exter Express Echo - JOE HAILS PROFESSIONAL APPROACH HE HAS FOUND WITH THE GRECIANS
Joe Gallen reckons it will be some time before he can be officially named as Exeter City's assistant manager.The 34-year-old is still waiting to thrash out the terms of his departure from Championship club QPR.
Gallen parted company with The Hoops during the summer after manager John Gregory ordered an overhaul of all levels of staff.
Only last week Formula One magnates Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone unveiled details of a £14m offer for the club - understood to be in debt to the tune of £13m - but Gallen believes his situation is some way off being resolved.
"I am in a queue of people and I really don't know when it will be resolved," he told Echo Sport. "There are number of staff there, from coaching staff to people behind the scenes in marketing and commercial who have been basically wrongfully dismissed.
"I am in that queue but I don't know when my situation will be sorted. It would have been frustrating if I didn't have anything to do. But between trying to find a place to live and all the games at Exeter City I have not had too much time to be frustrated.
"I am not in control of the situation so I can't do a lot about it."
Initially Gallen arrive at St James's Park on a trial basis because he is still under contract at Loftus Road.
But it seems only a matter of time before he is officially named as Paul Buckle's successor at St James's Park.
He added: "I am doing everything that needs to be done. It is not official yet but it may be official in time."
Gallen has enjoyed his time at Exeter so far, combining training sessions with taking the reserves and even doing some scouting work for the club.
He was at Broadhall Way on Monday night to see Stevenage go top of the Blue Square Premier following a 3-0 win over struggling Stafford Rangers.
"I am bit of a game watcher anyway so the last few years I have been watching everything from the Championship all the way down. I have seen quite a lot of League One and Two and I don't see League Two from the league we are playing in. I have really enjoyed the job here. There are a lot of games, which is the fun part of the job because you never know what is going to happen in games.
"I think we have made a solid start to the season but maybe we have been drawing a couple of games we believe we have edged. But this is a decent club with a nice ground, decent crowd with the potential to do well. There is scope for improvement. The team is developing and they can only get better. A bit of patience and we can get there in the end."
Gallen has drawn favourable parallels between former club QPR and the way Exeter City operates. He added: "The clubs are exactly the same in the way they travel to games, do their warm-ups and the preparation for games. The approach here is extremely professional.
"I am not just saying that - it is the truth. If anything, Exeter might be slightly better. This club does things in the right way and I think it should be given a lot of credit for that."
." Exeter Express and Echo

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QPR travelled to Leicester. At half-time, the score was 0-0. Leicester went ahead before new 800,000 pound- signing, Mikele Leigertwood equalized a few minutes from time. QPR have lost both their home games and drawn both their away games! QPR are one off the bottom, and six points (with a game in hand) from a playoff spot! Live League Table

UPDATE 8:00 PM (GMT) - POST MATCH COMMENTS

John Gregory - QPR Official Site GOOD VALUE

John Gregory believes Rangers were good value for their 1-1 draw at The Walkers Stadium.
The R's gaffer spoke with pride, after watching his side come from behind to grab a point against Leicester City.
"There was a lot more good things about our display today," Gregory told www.qpr.co.uk.
"It was nice to have Danny Cullip back at the heart of our defence. He made a big difference and will continue to do so throughout the season.
"We could have folded at 1-0, but the players stuck to their task and we were good value for the point."
Gregory refused to heap praise of goalscorer Mikele Leigertwood though, commenting: "He owed us one!
"He gave the ball away in the build-up to the penalty and he's admitted he owed us that one.
"Nevertheless, it was a great strike, but I think he's only scored a few throughout his career, so we can't expect him to do that every week."
Gregory added: "We should have gone on and won the game in the last ten minutes or so.
"I think Leicester were happy to hear the final whistle, because we really started to cause them problems. Hogan made a huge difference and we really put them on to the back foot.
"I saw a few heads drop at 1-0, but credit to the players, they re-grouped and deserved the point." QPR

LEICESTER OFFICIAL SITE

New Manager, Gary Megson - Boss Gives Frank Assessment
Leicester City manager Gary Megson gave an honest and frank assessment of his side's performance following their 1-1 draw with QPR at the Walkers Stadium on Saturday.
Megson, who only took over as boss on Thursday afternoon, saw his side take the lead through an Iain Hume penalty on 63 minutes - only for the visitors to equalise with just 10 minutes of the game remaining.
And speaking afterwards, Megson admitted that although he could not fault the desire of his players, he had been left disappointed by their inability to keep the lead on the day.
He said: "I don't think we could have done much better in terms of the effort, work and application that we put in today.
"But some of the decisions and the intelligence that we showed after we scored needs to be worked on.
"We did everything right to take the lead, but when we did that it was as if someone had written another script. We did some crazy things after that.
"I thought that we did really well in the first half, but for the first 25 minutes of the second half I thought that we did even better. We were passing the ball well and causing them a lot of problems.
"But we made some silly decisions - both individually and collectively. It just seemed as soon as we scored that we thought that was enough. There has got to be a realisation that once you score against the opposition they are quite naturally going to try and come back and equalise.
"QPR defended pretty well, but we let them off. The amount of chances we had was incredible.
"There were a lot of young players out there who are good players, but they don't know the game. They don't know how to go and win. This club has been flirting with relegation for the last four seasons. What we have got to do is get a team out there that knows how to win.
"Once they scored a few heads went down and one or two people felt a bit sorry for themselves. In the end it wouldn't have been beyond the realms of reason that they could have beaten us because they had some really good chances late on."
Megson also hinted that he may take the opportunity to bring some fresh faces to the club.
He added: "Even though the transfer window has closed you can still bring players in on loan. You can them maybe draw up an agreement to take the players permanently in January." Leicester

Hume Rues Missed Chances
Iain Hume could not his frustrations after seeing his side only come away with a point from Saturday's game with Queens Park Rangers at the Walkers Stadium.
The Canadian international's 63rd minute penalty looked to have secured City all three points but Mikele Leigertwood's 30-yard equaliser late on meant Gary Megson's first game in charge of the Foxes ended in a draw.
Hume said: "It was a frustrating afternoon really and I think we all see it as two points dropped rather than a point gained.
"Anyone who watched the game knows that we dominated but a world class goal has got them a point.
"It was a great finish from their lad and you have to hold your hands up and s ay 'good goal' but we should have been out of sight before that happened.
"We created quite a few chances and drove forward and even controversially had a goal disallowed.
"It could have been 2-0 then and their heads would have gone down and it would have been game over. We overran them but couldn't get that all important second goal.
"However, we must take the result on the chin, dust ourselves down and get ready for the game against Forest on Tuesday night."
It was Hume's second of the campaign following his stunner against Watford - both goals coming whilst playing on the right hand side of midfield.
"Everyone knows I would prefer to play up front but I'm in the team and that's the main thing," he added.
"If all the strikers are scoring goals then I'm more than happy to play on the right.
"But the new manager has come in - I've only been with him for a day and a half due to international duty but he knows his stuff and has a proven track record - and it's a clean slate again.
"He will have his own ideas and thoughts and I must make sure I'm in his plans. I felt as though I couldn't do any more today."
Hume is now relishing Tuesday night's rearranged Carling Cup second round clash against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
"We want to do well for Clarkey. He came into the dressing room before kick-off today and wished us well.
"He'd be a bit angry if he knew we were going into the game worrying about him. We must put what happened to him that night to the back of our minds and go out and play football which is what we are paid to do." Leicester Official
Teams:
QPR: Camp, Cullip, Stewart, Rehman, Barker, Rowlands, Leigertwood, Bolder, Moore, Blackstock, Sahar - Subs: Cole, Bignot, Nardiello, Curtis, Ephraim

Leicester: Fulop, N'Gotty, Kisnorbo, McAuley, Sheehan, Hume, Clemence, Wesolowski, Porter, Campbell, Cort - Subs: Henderson, Chambers, Kishishev, De Vries, Newton

QPR OFficial Site Match Report
Mikele Leigertwood bagged an early contender for goal of the season, as the R's came from behind to clinch a deserved point at the Walkers Stadium.
With the clock showing 82 minutes, the former Sheffield United ace let fly from fully 28-yards, giving Foxes custodian Marton Fulop absolutely no chance as the ball nestled into the far corner.
Earlier, Iain Hume's 63rd minute spot-kick looked like giving Leicester the points.
The diminutive attacker made no mistake from the spot, after Damion Stewart was adjudged to have sent DJ Campbell spiralling to ground inside the box.
John Gregory was minus the services of Michael Mancienne, while John Curtis and Hogan Ephraim dropped to the bench.
Zesh Rehman, Danny Cullip and Stefan Moore were all recalled to the starting XI.
Leicester's new boss Gary Megson also made a couple of changes, with Levi Porter and Carl Cort returning to the fray at the expense of Joe Mattock and Mark De Vries.
Campbell fired an early warning shot, when he capitalised on a Cullip slip to head straight into the hands of Lee Camp as early as the fourth minute.
The Foxes had an effort chalked for offside in the 15th minute, when Campbell was adjudged to have tugged Camp, as he knocked the ball home from a long throw-in.
Rangers' first effort arrived two minutes later, with Martin Rowlands volleying over from the edge of the 18-yard box, after Dexter Blackstock teed him up.
The R's grew in confidence as the half approached its halfway point and when Gareth McAuley dragged down Ben Sahar as the Chelsea loanee threatened to coast through unchallenged, Rowlands' resultant 20-yard free-kick was deflected wide by a trailing Foxes foot.
McAuley picked up a yellow card for his troubles, despite vocal appeals from the R's players for a card of a different colour.
Rangers were denied by the woodwork five minutes before the break.
The lively Rowlands played provider, sending an inviting free-kick into the front post, which Sahar glanced onto Fulop's left hand post.
At the other end, Cullip was in the right place at the right time to clear Campbell's effort off the line, after he seized on a Damion Stewart error before rounding Camp with ease.
Gregory introduced Danny Nardiello at the expense of Sahar at the break, with the former Barnsley man immediately joining Blackstock in attack.
The R's new-look front pairing caused Patrick Kisnorbo all sorts of problems early on, with the Aussie defender forced to drag Blackstock to ground in the 47th minute.
Rowlands stepped up to take the resultant free-kick, only to see his goal-bound effort diverted to safety off the Foxes wall.
Camp had to be at his agile best to save low down at his right, after James Wesolowski cut in from the right flank, before Campbell nipped in behind Cullip, only to drag his 53rd minute shot well wide.
But there was nothing Camp could do to prevent the Foxes taking a 63rd minute lead, courtesy of a Hume penalty.
Stewart was punished for a mistimed tackle on livewire Campbell and Hume stepped up to send Camp the wrong way from the spot.
The home faithful thought they'd seen their side double their lead four minutes later, only for the assistant referee's flag to deny Cort his first goal in Leicester colours, as he headed home unmarked at the back post.
The points were seemingly heading the way of the Foxes, until Leigertwood stepped up to cap his R's away debut in style, firing an unstoppable 28-yard drive into the far corner.
It was only the fourth goal of his career and what a way to mark his first for his new Club.
Nardiello very nearly opened his account in the time that remained, but after he got goal-side of the otherwise outstanding Kisnorbo, Fulop dived full-stretch to his right to save.
And there was yet more drama, when substitute Ephraim left three Foxes defenders trailing in his wake, before crossing for Blackstock, who saw his close range effort scrambled away at the front post.
In a grandstand finish, Clemence struck the crossbar from 25-yards, before Nardiello was inches away from giving Rangers maximum points, when he failed to make contact with Leigertwood's enticing cross.
Leicester City: Fulop, Kisnorbo, N'Gotty, McAuley, Clemence, Hume, Cort (De Vries 90), Campbell (Chambers 73), Wesolowski, Sheehan, Porter (Kishishev 79). Subs: Henderson, Newton.
Scorers: Hume 63 (pen) Bookings: McAuley 25
QPR: Camp, Barker, Cullip, Stewart, Bolder (Ephraim 72), Blackstock, Rowlands, Sahar (Nardiello 46), Moore, Rehman, Leigertwood. Subs: Bignot, Cole, Curtis.
Scorers: Leigertwood 82 - Bookings: Leigertwood 79
Referee: Mr L Mason Attendance: 21, 893 QPR Official Site
Sporting Life Match Report

LEICESTER OFFICIAL SITE
Leicester City began life under Gary Megson with a 1-1 draw against Queens Park Rangers at the Walkers Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Iain Hume's 63rd minute penalty - his second of the season - handed the hosts the initiative but Mikele Leigertwood's long distance special nine minutes from time earned his side a share of the spoils.
Carl Cort, Stephen Clemence, DJ Campbell and James Wesolowski came close for the home side while Ben Sahar hit the woodwork for Rangers.
However, the point was enough to extend City's unbeaten run to five matches.
Inside three minutes, Cort flicked on Bruno N'Gotty's long throw-in from the right, but Lee Camp raced off his line to collect.
Camp was again called into action two minutes later when he had to be alert to save DJ Campbell's header after the striker had latched on to Alan Sheehan's hanging cross from the left.
Camp comfortably gathered Clemence's free-kick on eight minutes before Cort let fly from 20-yards but his shot flew just over the bar.
Cort was in the thick of the action moments later but he narrowly failed to connect with Levi Porter's deep cross.
The Foxes had a goal ruled out on 14 minutes when Campbell was penalised for a foul on Camp, with the loose ball rolling into the vacant net.
Sheehan was cautioned for a foul on former Fox Stefan Moore two minutes later then Camp had to punch clear under pressure following Hume's corner.
Gareth McAuley was booked after bringing down Dexter Blackstock on the edge of the area on 25 minutes then from the resulting free-kick Martin Rowlands' effort was deflected behind for a corner.
Clemence's teasing free-kick just needed a touch in the 28th minute before Sheehan's pile-driver was turned behind for a corner on 33 minutes.
The Foxes were handed a let-off in the 39th minute when Sahar's glancing header from Rowlands' free-kick ricocheted back off the post and away to safety.
Blackstock fired high and wide a minute later before Campbell saw his shot blocked behind for a corner by Danny Cullip.
Rangers again had Cullip to thank on the stroke of half-time when he somehow managed to block Campbell's goal-bound shot on the line after the pacy striker had carved open an opening.
But the game remained goalless at the interval.
For the start of the second half, Daniel Nardiello replaced Sahar.
The Foxes created the first chance of the second half on 52 minutes but Porter could only place his close range shot into the side-netting from Hume's cross.
Camp got down well to deny James Wesolowski a minute later then Campbell fired across goal but it proved just too strong for the advancing Porter.
Cort's looping header was cleared off the line by Damion Stewart on the hour.
However, it was the hosts who took the lead on 63 minutes.
Campbell was fouled in the area by Stewart and referee Lee Mason had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Up stepped Hume and he sent Camp the wrong way for the opener.
City were denied a second in the 67th minute when Cort's header was ruled out for offside.
On 71 minutes Adam Bolder made way for Hogan Ephraim while James Chambers replaced Campbell two minutes later.
Camp saved from Chambers in the 77th minute before Hume tried his luck from distance moments later.
Radostin Kishishev came on for Porter on 78 minutes then Mikele Leigertwood was booked for a foul on Wesolowski.
However, the visitors equalised in the 81st minute thanks to a great strike by Leigertwood, beating Marton Fulop from 30-yards out.
Fulop got down brilliantly to deny Nardiello on 86 minutes then Mark de Vries came on for Cort in stoppage time.
The Foxes were denied a winner in injury time when Clemence saw his shot hit the crossbar and drop behind for a goal-kick." Leicester

MATCH PHOTOS Photos from the Game from Leicester

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[QPR will of course feature prominently in the book! Crouch is definitely one player that QPR fans have very warm feelings towards: Both for what he did in his year at his club, and for his-post QPR offer of support for the club]

"Walking Tall - By Peter Crouch" from Hodder & Stoughton
Publishers
'Blurb' - He is 6ft 7in tall but Peter Crouch's height is not the only thing that makes the Liverpool and England striker different: he has a football story like no other player in the modern game. Crouch has risen from humble beginnings at non-league Dulwich Hamlet on loan, and a GBP60,000 transfer to Queens Park Rangers, to be an England striker and the first to score ten international goals in a calendar year. His career has not been the smooth journey from teen prodigy to Premiership star enjoyed by so many of his England team-mates. Booed by England fans in October 2005, Crouch had the same supporters on their feet with a hat-trick for his country eight months later.
"Walking Tall" is about a footballer who has always found himself under intense scrutiny - for the way he looks as much as his ability on the pitch.Crouch's story is also about his constant battle to win over the doubters. He talks about the managers who have backed him - as well as those who have written him off - and relives the pain of rejection at Aston Villa, contrasted with the elation of his GBP7 million transfer to Liverpool just one year later in the summer of 2005. Crouch was a key figure in England's 2006 World Cup campaign and in "Walking Tall" he talks about his famous robot dance as well as the goals and the disappointments of that summer in Germany. For Crouch, the journey continues under Rafael Benitez at Anfield and with Steve McClaren's England team. Funny, honest and open, "Walking Tall" is the story of an unlikely hero. Book Blurb


BOOK DETAILS
Table of Contents

Excerpt: "The Early Days" (with QPR references)

Amazon.co.uk


The Times - The tall guy
Liverpool and England’s Peter Crouch has fought hard to reach the summit of his sport. Damian Whitworth discovers how a middle-class boy with a quirky robot dance became one of the nation’s best-loved footballersDamian Whitworth

The surprising thing about Peter Crouch is how tall he is. That might sound odd, given that his considerable loftiness is the one thing everybody knows about him. But when you meet him in the flesh it still requires an effort of will not to gawp. Stumbling up the back-streets of Kentish Town in search of the studio where the interview is to take place, I am lost until, in the distance, a human landmark looms, leaning against a wall, having his picture taken by what appears to be a midget, but turns out to be a normal-sized photographer. I am 6ft 1in, but when I go to shake the landmark’s hand, I have to tilt my head back sharply, the way you do when sitting in the front row of the Odeon Leicester Square, in order to look at his face.

The inaptly named Crouch is full of surprises. The chief of these is that a man of his height and slim build should be a footballer at all, let alone a top-class footballer. He also has an untypical background for a professional footballer – he’s middle-class – and has had an unusual career studded with setbacks. In a macho world, he is refreshingly candid about the anxieties that beset players. He’s also a private person who has little interest in the trappings of wealth that so many of his peers flash around and feels uncomfortable with celebrity. Nevertheless, he has a popularity that extends well beyond those who follow football and is in a relationship with a high-profile WAG, Abigail Clancy, who is rarely out of the tabloids.

It is a symptom of his high profile that a publisher believes he is a money-spinner, and so, with the help of a ghost, he has written his autobiography. At 26, he is certainly not the youngest footballer to have done so.

Crouch was born in Macclesfield and after a stint in Singapore, where his father was in advertising and where family adventures included a scrape with the armed wing of the Communist Party of Malaysia (how many footballers can say that?), he grew up in Ealing. His parents wanted him to go to Latymer Upper, a selective, fee-paying school, but he says he deliberately failed the exams so that he could attend the local comprehensive, which had a good football team.

Crouch paints an unsavoury picture of the world of boys’ football. He was a relatively slow starter because he was not attached to a professional club by the time he was nine years old. His father spurned Chelsea and insisted that his son stay with his local team, West Middlesex Colts. “He thought if I had been rejected at Chelsea it would have killed me.” He says that today six-year-old kids at club academies play “in fear of being moved out in favour of another hopeful. Where’s the fun in that?”

Even at the age of 11 or 12 his father would sometimes have to confront parents on the touchline. “They’d shout, ‘Take him out!’ or ‘Break his legs!’ That’s what you are up against sometimes in kids’ football. It’s weird.” Even the protective Bruce Crouch was quite a taskmaster, taking his son to the local park before school at 7am.

At 14, he finally signed to Tottenham and he can recall the “eerie silence” in the car after matches in which he hadn’t performed well. During one game, when he had yet again pulled out of a tough tackle, his watching father left him to make his own way home. That seems like rather a lot of pressure for a 14-year-old. “Of course. But even at that stage if you haven’t got the determination, that will to succeed, I don’t think you are going to make it. When people see Premier League footballers, they don’t realise what the lads had to go through when they were younger. Millions want to be footballers, not just you.”

As a trainee he was at the bottom of a hierarchy, “like a feudal society” in which the banter from peers was relentless and sometimes tipped over into bullying. “You have got to be tough. You had to learn to take the stick and give it out. If you couldn’t, it would affect you and affect your performances.” On a youth team trip to Northern Ireland older players shaved Crouch’s head and urinated in his suitcase.

Nerves got the better of him when he was asked to train with the first team. It was “a nightmare. That’s football: all about impressing at the right time. A very fine line between success and failure.” He was sent on loan to Dulwich Hamlet and a small Swedish club. “There were times when I was thinking, ‘I’m a million miles from the bright lights of the Premiership or playing for England.’”

His career has been very different from the likes of Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, who were “stars in the making since they were kids”. After failing to make it into the first team at a top club he went backwards to QPR, where he thrived, and eventually went via Portsmouth to a Premiership club: Aston Villa. But his career didn’t take off, and after a spell at Norwich City he went to less glamorous Southampton. Again he prospered, and caught the eye of Liverpool.

Joining a new club, he says, is “very difficult. First day at a new school is probably the closest you can get to it.” He got off to the worst possible start at Liverpool, failing to score in his first 18 games. The media coverage made it feel like his barren spell was “a national obsession. I was getting more and more anxious.” He didn’t go out, avoided newspapers and didn’t watch football in order to avoid reminders of his plight. He became so low that he considered going back to Southampton. “I was happy there, thoroughly enjoyed just playing football. If I was not enjoying it I would rather go somewhere where I earned half the money.” His dad took him out for an all-night drinking session and brought him to his senses. He stayed, broke his duck and went on to score regularly for Liverpool and England.

The day we meet, Crouch is in good spirits, having started the previous night’s game for Liverpool against Toulouse and scored the first goal. Liverpool reinforced their squad over the summer and with four main strikers Crouch has not started in early Premier League games. He says he went to see Rafael Benitez, the manager, and was reassured that he has a future in his rotation system. “I’m at a fantastic club and I certainly don’t want to leave.
Crouch feels he is sometimes regarded as an easy target because of the way he looks, and much of the criticism he has received over the years has been unpleasantly personal. He can see the funny side: “To be honest if I saw me running on and I was an opposing fan I’d probably give myself some stick as well.” But at times it has been over the top.

It started when he was a kid and parents of other players accused him of being over-age because he was so tall. As he began to play professionally the abuse from fans intensified, including, in early QPR days, from his own fans. “Freak” and “lanky w*****” are epithets he has become used to hearing.

“I look different, there’s no denying that. I’m a unique-looking footballer, you don’t see 6ft 7in slim-build players like me. When I first walked on to a pitch, people thought, ‘How can he be a footballer?’ I’ve always been able to convince people with my ability. That’s how I’ve combated it.”

Sometimes, however, he hasn’t been able to convince his managers. And the opinions of other managers haven’t always helped. Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal boss, once called him “a basketball player who can play with his head”. One of the commentators for the Toulouse game said, “He is capable of exquisite control”, in a tone of surprise. Having scored 12 goals for England, Crouch finds it frustrating that people are still taken aback.

As for the idiots who scream abuse at him from the stands, he began to devise a strategy for dealing with them when he was faced with some particularly ugly characters at Gillingham. “For some reason it’s always been bad there. It’s a strange place. I remember looking at them and thinking, ‘I am way, way above you. I am out here doing it. You are sitting there and paid your money to come in and you are abusing me. You’ve come here to do that! I’ve got to be above you. I’ll show you.’ And I went out and scored a couple of goals.”

Off the field he is conspicuous. “I might as well have a big neon sign above my head. It’s a bit of a ’mare. Other players can put a cap on and walk down the road, but I put a cap on and it says, ‘Peter Crouch with a cap on.’ Sometimes it would be nice to be an average height and walk through the shops and no one know. But personally I’m perfectly happy. I wouldn’t change me.”

He made the crossover from well-known footballer to household name with his body-popping dance, which became known as the Peter Crouch Robot at the World Cup last year. When he performed it after scoring goals for England before and during the tournament in Germany he became an unlikely star, as the media pursued a fun story to counterbalance the bad news about Wayne Rooney’s broken foot. He became internationally famous, to the extent that when he was later on holiday in Miami, Mickey Rourke shouted “Robot Boy” at him as he walked past a bar.

His team-mates persuaded him to perform the dance for Prince William and he still gets demands for “Robot! Robot! Robot!” wherever he goes. He says he will only bring the dance out of retirement if he scores in a really big game, such as the final of a club or international competition. “It was never my intention to raise my profile, so that’s why I became slightly embarrassed.”

Crouch is not shy, but he far from revels in the celebrity lifestyle. He has invested in property and bought his sister a flat, but doesn’t really have any interest in spending cash. “I bought an Aston Martin when I felt I had done well enough at Liverpool to treat myself. But I’m getting rid of it. It’s not really me.” He drives a Range Rover instead and is teased by some team-mates because he has been wearing the same watch, albeit a Rolex, since he was 18. His best mates are still four lads he grew up with: a landscape gardener, a graphic designer, a lighting technician and a gym instructor. He has paid for them all to go on holiday together. After a game he likes a few pints of Guinness.

All this makes his choice of girlfriend seem a little unlikely. Abigail Clancy, a former runner-up in the reality show Britain’s Next Top Model, is a model adored by lads’ mags and the red-tops. She left the World Cup after pictures were published apparently showing her snorting cocaine as a teenager. Crouch subsequently took the unusual step of issuing a statement to contradict her suggestion that they were still an item. The couple later rekindled their romance.

There is not a single mention of Clancy in the book, but they are together, although not co-habiting “yet” and are “very happy”. The scandal is in the past. “Things get exposed and what have you, but I’m certainly happy in my relationship now and try to keep things as private as possible.”

That’s not always easy. How does it feel to find yourself splashed across The News of the World, as he was recently, apparently tweaking your girlfriend’s nipple on the beach. He smiles and raises his eyebrows, but says that it’s “a little bit intrusive, isn’t it? At the end of the day it’s a boyfriend and girlfriend on holiday just doing what any other boy and girl would do. It’s a shame that it’s not quite as private as I would like it to be.”

He agrees that there is a certain sneering stereotype of WAGs and, “I think any of the WAGs as people are embarrassed by it. I don’t think it’s their fault. Players have to have wives and girlfriends.” He points out that Clancy has her own career. “She’s not one of those that sit at home and be a WAG, if you like. She wants to be doing things.”

With that he has to go for a photo shoot with a key sponsor: the manufacturer that keeps him supplied with his over-sized sportswear. There have been occasions when clubs have presented him with kit that looked ridiculous on his frame, “like John Barnes shorts of the Eighties”. He claims that he can find clothes to fit him in the high-street stores. “I’m still retail,” he insists.

Peter Crouch’s autobiography, Walking Tall: My Story, is published on Thursday by Hodder & Stoughton, £18.99 - The Times

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Skysports - Costacurta 'maybe' to QPR - Ancelotti speaks on assistant's Rangers link - By Nadia Carminati
Costacurta: Wanted man?
Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Alessandro Costacurta would consider the Queens Park Rangers job.
Reports in England and Italy have linked the former Milan and Italy defender with taking over at Loftus Road if prospective new owners Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone complete a takeover of Rangers.
Costacurta, who is one of Ancelotti's assistants at Milan, is close friends with Briatore and would be an obvious choice to be the next manager.
"He told me just one thing - maybe," Ancelotti told the Italian press when asked to comment on Costacurta going to QPR.
"Certain decisions are up to him. Sooner or later you have to walk alone. We are a good group, but one day it will be the case that someone chooses a different direction." ...Skysports

See also: Previous items re "Costacurta to QPR" rumours

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"Rangers spokesman said: "We've got absolutely no comment whatsoever to make on newspaper speculation." This could mean something IS happening; or it could mean it's NOT happening; or it could mean the QPR spokesperson is not "in the loop" about what is or not happening,

Sporting Life - QPR QUIET ON COSTACURTA LINK
Queens Park Rangers have refused to comment on reports linking Alessandro Costacurta with the managerial post at Loftus Road.
Rangers have reportedly approached the Italy legend to replace current boss John Gregory.
Italian Formula One magnate Flavio Briatore is poised to take control of the west London club after he and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone made a £14million recommended offer for the Coca-Cola Championship outfit.
Prospective owner Briatore, the boss of the Renault team, is already examining ways to make more money from the stadium but Rangers today denied any knowledge of a move for Costacurta.
The 41-year-old Costacurta, who won 59 Italy caps, speaks English fluently - and is eager to move into management, but a Rangers spokesman said: "We've got absolutely no comment whatsoever to make on newspaper speculation.' Sporting Life

Also: QPR Report yesterday re press accounts "QPR Supposedly Want Italian International Costacurta as Manager

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Big game for both clubs tomorrow. QPR under new ownership. Leicester under new management: Both teams with some kind of expectations for challenging for promotion this season.

QPR Official Site
HE FRIDAY PREVIEW: FOXES
Posted on: Fri 14 Sep 2007

Rangers lock horns with Leicester City tomorrow (Saturday), hoping history repeats itself after last season's stunning win in the Midlands.

The Walkers Stadium proved to be a happy hunting ground for the R's five months ago, as goals from Marc Nygaard (2) and Inigo Idiakez gave Rangers all three points in a memorable 3-1 victory.

Nygaard was the hero of the hour, as he bagged a sublime contender for goal of the season, when he let fly from fully 35-yards, giving Foxes custodian Paul Henderson absolutely no chance, as the ball nestled into the top corner.

Its been all change at the Walkers Stadium since then though.

The summer months marked a period of substantial change for everyone connected to the Foxes. Milan Mandaric's arrival as the new owner of the Club following an EGM at the Walkers Stadium in March 2007 heralded the start of the new era in LE2.

The ex-Portsmouth Chairman moved swiftly to appoint Martin Allen as their new Manager in late May, following Nigel Worthington's Caretaker stint at the end of last season. Former MK Dons boss Allen signed a three-year deal, with the 42 year-old edging out Worthington, Neil Warnock and Paul Ince to the post.

Allen quickly rang the changes himself, bringing in more than half a dozen fresh faces and splashing millions in the process.

But the honeymoon period didn't last long for the former QPR midfielder, who saw his side succumb to an opening day home defeat to Championship newcomers Blackpool.

A narrow 1-0 victory against Accrington in the Carling Cup did little to boost the confidence, but Allen and his players responded to speculation about his immediate future by bagging a point against Crystal Palace, before smashing four past Watford recently.

However, a 0-0 draw against Plymouth Argyle last time out proved to be the final straw for Mandaric, who parted with Allen by mutual consent five days later.

A statement on the Club website openly admitted that "differences between both parties regarding the direction of the club have led to a breakdown in the relationship."

Eight days on, Gary Megson was appointed Foxes Manager, with ex-Leicester defender Gerry Taggart and Frank Burrows given roles in his coaching staff.

Speaking after his appointment, Megson said: "Leicester is a Premiership Club in everything but its divisional status.

"The stadium and training ground are both of the highest standard whilst the support is both Premiership standard in its quality and quantity.

"In coming to Leicester I am not just working at a Championship Club that is happy to plod along. This Club has got ambition to get back into the Premiership and that appeals to me greatly." QPR

LEICESTER OFFICIAL SITE Head To Head: QPR

We reveal all the facts and figures ahead of Saturday's Championship fixture against QPR.

HEAD TO HEAD
The two clubs have met 49 times previously in all competitions, 46 of which have come in the league. Leicester have won just 18 of the clashes overall, with 13 of those successes coming in the East Midlands. Rangers have managed just 6 victories in 23 visits to Leicester.

EARLY MEETINGS
The first meeting came in Division Two as recently as 1948-49. Rangers completed the double over City that year. City did, however, win each of the next five Filbert Street clashes.

RECENT HISTORY
Last March, Rangers took maximum points from the Walkers Stadium. Their 3-1 victory featured a stunning looping volley from Danish international Marc Nygaard, whilst Iain Hume netted City's last minute consolation goal from the penalty spot.

BIGGEST WINS
Only once has either team hit six goals in this fixture, a feat achieved by City in a 6-2 home win in 1950-51. QPR's best was a 5-2 win at Loftus Road in an F A Cup tie in 1986-87, when Terry Fenwick scored twice for the Londoners.

MARKSMEN
Rangers' Bert Addinall and City's Arthur Rowley are the only players to have registered hat-tricks in clashes between the two clubs, and neither more recently than 1951. Addinall is the leading overall scorer in the series, with 9 counters against the Foxes, whereas City's top marksman is none other than Gary Lineker, who has pierced the Rangers' defence 6 times.

DEBUTANTS
Just 3 players have made their Leicester bow when QPR provided the opposition, but what a trio: British record signing Allan Clarke in 1968, young Joe Waters in that sensational F A Cup quarter-final in 1974, and teenager Emile Heskey, currently City record outgoing transfer holder, in 1995.

FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS
The smattering of players to have represented both clubs over the years includes Arthur Chandler, Peter Eastoe, Terry Fenwick, Les Ferdinand, Bob Hazell, Andrew Impey, Robbie James, Eddie Kelly, Frank Large, Frank McLintock, Stefan Moore, John O'Neill, Simon Royce, Dean Sturridge and David Webb. Leicester

ALSO: Rivals' Clive Whittingham Match Preview

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Ray Wilkins of course recently expressed a desire to return to manage QPR. A concept which many QPR fans did not exactly rush to embrace. (It was also a possibility which QPR Chairman Paladini said would not be happening) But happy birthday to a great former QPR player.

RAY WILKINS TURNS 51
Born September 14, 1956. Signed by QPR on the cusp of Trevor Francis's departure and Don Howe succeeding him, November 30, 1989.
Wilkins left QPR in May 1994 to join Crystal Palace on a free. Returned to QPR in November 1994 as player manager, when Gerry Francis moved on to Spurs. Had a great first season. Unfortunately the second season, Les Ferdinand was sold, and some of the signings were not so great and QPR were relegated. Started the following season, but resigned/was sacked exactly 10 years ago (+ a few days)
Dave Sexton originally tried to sign Wilkins when he was an 18 year old at Chelsea in 1974/1975. And QPR were linked again with him when he was at Manchester United and Terry Venables QPR had just won promotion.
Wilkins

See Also:

Ray Wilkins/Wikipedia

Dave's QueensParkRangers FC Profile of Wilkins - Queens Park Rangers FC - Wilkins

QPRnet's Q&A with Ray Wilkins - QPRNet-Ray Wilkins Q&A

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[For some reason, this is also being reported on Barnsley's official site site]

FA - Richard Hill appeal - Tuesday, 11 September 2007.
At an Appeal Board hearing today, QPR assistant coach Richard Hill was allowed to retun [sic] to football with immediate effect after his ban was reduced to 12 weeks.
At the original Disciplinary Commission hearing on 22 June, Hill was suspended from all football and football management until 30 September.
He was charged with violent conduct for his part in the brawl between QPR players and members of the China U22 team on 7 February. FA

[Hill's "problems" began with the QPR friendly against China last February, about which, much has already been written and said.

WHEN HILL JOINED QPR IN SEPTEMBER 2006 - Official Site - NEW ADDITIONS
Queens Park Rangers Football Club are delighted to welcome Richard Hill and Joe Dunbar to the Club.
Hill joins John Gregory's backroom staff as a coach, while Dunbar is employed as a Sports Performance Coach.
The pair will work closely alongside the new gaffer, who was understandably pleased with their appointments: .....Hilly worked with me at Wycombe between 1996 and 1998. When I went to Aston Villa he went to Gillingham, so he knows this division very well and knows how to survive in it. He will be working alongside me.''
Stay tuned to www.qpr.co.uk for further news and interviews regarding the appointments. QPR

Tom Harvey, Kilburn Times, October 4, 2006 re John Gregory Assistant, Richard Hill
"...John Gregory's management team at QPR is beginning to take shape with former Stevenage Borough boss Richard Hill set to be named as his assistant.
Hill, who spent two years at Stevenage after being appointed manager in 1998, knows Gregory well from their time together at Aston Villa.
Hill enjoyed a spell as a coach during Gregory's reign at Villa Park, before moving on to Stevenage.
After his exit from the Hertfordshire side, Hill worked as assistant boss to Andy Hessenthaler at Gillingham, before taking a similar role under Brian Little at Tranmere and then becoming number two at Northampton Town until 2003...."

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Update: Although the book's official publication date is the beginning of next week, it is actually already on sale at some places!

The Plymouth Herald- OLLIE: MY TRAGEDY AND TRIUMPH
The Herald has been given exclusive access to Argyle manager Ian Holloway's autobiography, days ahead of its publication, in which Ollie, famous for his one-liners, blunt honesty and cutting humour, reveals a different side - a life scarred by personal tragedy and devastating illness and rocked by disability affecting three of his children.
In the new book Ollie admits to having had to face up to psychological flaws to change behaviour which was making his wife, Kim, suffer.
Holloway talks frankly about:
The premature death of his father, which sparked Ian's spirituality;
Kim's battle with cancer. She was given only a one-in-three chance of surviving;
The birth their first child - after Kim was told she could never have children because of the effects of the treatment for cancer;
The discovery that their three daughters who followed were all profoundly deaf and the couple's struggle to cope with the disability;
Kim's severe depression, which led Holloway to do something almost unheard of for a professional footballer - to take a month off during the season;
The appalling pressures faced by football managers, from rival fans wishing his children dead and threatening to firebomb his house to allegations of gun threats in the boardroom.
Holloway's honesty about his private life and his shortcomings is out of step with the macho image of football.
Many players and managers pride themselves in wearing their heart on their sleeve.
But the Argyle boss bares his soul in his autobiography, 'Ollie'.
The Herald has been given exclusive access to the book which is not published until Monday.
The volume is a world away form the bland sports biographies that fill bookshops.
His revelations, frankness and colourful language - including his trademark crazy metaphors - will help cement Holloway's reputation as being one of a select group of football personalities, from the late Bill Shankly of Liverpool to Jose Mourinho of Chelsea, who are familiar even to people with no interest in sport.
The 44-year-old told The Herald: "I would have never written it if it was bland.
"The market is saturated. There are 21-year-old footballers writing their life story - and they haven't even had a life yet."
Holloway writes how as a young footballer with Bristol Rovers in his native city he first witnessed tragedy with two deaths: of a team-mate from cancer and the young son of another through leukaemia.
A family shock followed soon after. Kim, then his girlfriend, developed lumps on her neck.
Non-hodgkin's lymphoma was diagnosed and she was told she was unlikely to survive.
Holloway writes: "It was unbelievable. The focus that Kim had from that moment on was utterly inspiring."
She started chemotherapy. They were still living in Bristol while he was playing for Wimbledon - so he was unable to be with for every treatment session.
"On each occasion we tried to make the most of our time together because we never knew whether or not each meeting would be the last.
"We had some fantastic times, sharing moments neither of us will ever forget, not knowing if the future we yearned for together would ever become a reality."
Kim was successfully treated but told that the chemotherapy would probably leave her infertile.
They were married in May, 1987 - and a month later she fell pregnant. "For us it was a genuine miracle," Holloway writes.
But before William was born, Ian's father died of a heart attack.
"I felt angry and cheated because he was just 59," Holloway says in the book.
"My only advice to anyone reading this is to tell the people you love exactly what you think of them while they're still here."
The ex-seaman was an outstanding amateur footballer and father and son were close.
In the autobiography, Holloway explains how he had shared his father's belief that there was no afterlife, but his dad's death "wiped the blackboard clean" and he found a spirituality to his own life.
He recounts how he has felt his father's "presence" many times since - starting with giving him the courage to play a game within hours of the death.
He told The Herald: "I feel very very privileged to have had the parents I had.
"I was shown how to love another person by the way my parents were with each other."
He counts himself lucky to have had such a stable home life.
"I was brought up to respect; to respect teachers, police officers, my parents.
"As a manager I see it more and more, lots of (young players) coming in from broken homes."
The birth of William, now 19, was followed by the arrival of twins Chloe and Eve two years later.
Holloway writes of the shock of discovering that the girls were deaf. Suddenly, he and Kim were faced with having to learn a new language: signing.
"It was like learning English before you could talk to your children," he says in the book.
Gradually, the family learned to cope. But when another daughter, Harriet (now 15) was born deaf despite vanishingly small odds, Holloway was hit hard.
"I didn't take it very well, but Kim was totally the opposite, (saying) 'Well thank God for that. She's come to us and we're already a family who knows what they're doing with deaf children so it was meant to be'.
"Thank God for Kim."
Holloway's playing career was at its peak - he played 500 games for Bristol Rovers, Wimbledo